The programme for Government contains a promise to create a food ombudsman to protect farmers and consumers from unscrupulous behaviour on the part of powerful retailers and processors. Farmers had sought a regulator with real teeth to tackle the cartel-like behaviour of factories and others, particularly in the meat sector. The Government's draft Bill for an office for fairness and transparency was roundly criticised for lacking the necessary enforcement powers. The Minister promised that the new office would be in place by the end of 2021. That did not happen. He then promised it would be in place by summer 2022, but that did not happen either. This Bill went to Cabinet only yesterday. When will it be progressed and, crucially, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to positively consider the amendments Sinn Féin and others will bring forward to address the remaining deficiencies in the Bill and protect our family farmers and consumers in the market?

The final Bill has been approved by the Government and will now be introduced in the Dáil. Last June, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine met with the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the agricultural and food supply chain Bill 2022. That general scheme was approved by Government in March. The Minister met with the committee, which subsequently met with other stakeholders on two separate occasions in July. The agrifood regulator that will be established under the Bill will be an office with real teeth and will be a strong advocate for farmers, fishers and all food producers. It will shine a light on the sector to help improve the position of the primary producer, will bring about greater transparency and fairness and will enforce those principles for agrifood suppliers.