17 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the fact that he has stated that he does not have the powers to investigate the disparity between retail bacon prices and the price paid to producers and since the powers of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs are inadequate to deal with the matter, if he will provide, by regulation or legislation, some other Department or body with the power to do so. [5855/95]

I do not have legal powers available to me to investigate the disparity between retail bacon prices and the price paid to producers. Responsibility for the proper functioning of the retail pricing system is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.