Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his amendments. I have considered them all carefully and looked at them in detail with regard to their content and merit, and I see where he is coming from in a number of them. There has been a good process in respect of the legislation coming through the Dáil and in the Seanad as well. If necessary, I would not have any problem going back to the Dáil regarding any amendments that I felt would absolutely have to be accommodated. However, there are ways of accommodating the Senator’s amendments in relation to how regulations would happen and how we would work with the regulator going forward as well. Amendments to the legislation are not necessarily required.

As the Senator knows, no more than himself and Senators Lombard and Daly, Senator Boylan has also been interested in this though not a member of the committee. The Senators have been very much part of the pre-legislative scrutiny report with regard to the initial work done by the committee. My mistake, Senator Boylan is a member of the committee. I refer to 18 of the 20 recommendations that all four of the Senators would have contributed to. The work the Oireachtas committee did has to be commended. It was in great depth and the committee engaged strongly with stakeholders and gathered worthwhile recommendations as to how the Bill could be improved. With the team here, I work to ensure that we can incorporate those. The Bill has gone through a comprehensive process and it is robust now.

In respect of the particular proposal the Senator is putting forward here, which is that a report would be produced by the Minister on implementation of the Act, I am satisfied that the Bill includes the requirements to achieve the programme for Government commitment to ensure equity, fairness and transparency in the food supply chain as it is and to ensure the implementation and enforcement of the unfair trading practices directive. The Bill provides for the designation of specific functions to An Rialálaí Agraibhia, including its board, which would be established on an independent statutory basis. The functions of An Rialálaí Agraibhia are clearly defined in the Bill, which also provides for a number of mechanisms for reporting by the regulator to the Minister and the Oireachtas as well on its performance and progress.

It is the responsibility of An Rialálaí Agraibhia to ensure the provisions of the Bill are fully implemented. However, notwithstanding the operational autonomy and independence of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, I am satisfied there are sufficient ways in the Bill to ensure that the Act will be fully implemented. I see where the Senator is coming from but I believe the Bill accommodates it as it stands.