Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
876. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to enhance the powers of the Agri-Food Regulator to address profiteering in food price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9161/26]
View answerI am satisfied that the Agri-Food Regulator is fulfilling its overall statutory role to the highest standards, in particular on enforcing Unfair Trading Practices legislation, and continues to work on behalf of stakeholders along the agri-food supply chain.
In relation to its price and market analysis role, the Regulator reported that while the majority of operators had submitted all information requested of them, a number of operators failed to comply with its requests for information on a voluntary basis.
As a result, in December 2025, I signed new regulations to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to confer on the Agri-Food Regulator enhanced powers to compel price and market information from agrifood businesses, including retailers, to deliver additional transparency in the agri-food supply chain.
I am satisfied that the new regulations are proportionate and while the Regulator has no role in setting market prices, it will allow the Regulator to provide further insightful analysis of the agri-food marketplace with a view to strengthening the position of smaller suppliers, while having regard to the potential impact on the competitiveness of and competition within retail and food service sectors.
The new regulations will come into force on 31st December 2026. This lead-in period is to allow the Regulator to develop the capacity and the procedures required to deliver on its additional responsibilities under the new regulations.
It should be noted that these new powers relate only to its price and market analysis function, and that the regulator already had robust powers of inspection and investigation in relation to its role as the enforcement authority for the unfair trading practices regulations.
