The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is beside the Tánaiste so one or other might be able to answer my question. The Office of the Agri Food Regulator was established this year. At the time, I said the legislation was inadequate to provide the answers needed. Very clearly we need answers to explain the differential in the price of beef in the Republic of Ireland and in the United Kingdom. We export 70% of our beef and 50% of the beef we produce goes to Great Britain. There is a transport cost, obviously, but the differential in cost between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland seems inexplicable to me. The cost of transport to Northern Ireland to the mainland of Britain is not substantially greater than the cost of moving it from Wexford or wherever the processing plant is. Has the agrifood regulator an explanation for this cost differential?

Thank you, Deputy.

Have they been asked for one? When will we find out how one explains this differential which looks anti-competitive to me.

Deputy McNamara will know that for the first time in the history of the State we have had a statutory office in place to bring more transparency to the food supply chain, with the objective of making sure the massive hard work that our farm families do is rewarded in the price they get. Some 90% of the food we produce is exported. Our highest value markets are the EU and the UK, in particular. The office means it is open to everyone, including the Deputy, to make submissions in relation to issues the regulator can look into. I would encourage the Deputy to put his views specifically on this matter for consideration. Prices are a challenge. We are only-----

Can I get an answer?

Deputy, please.

I am telling the Deputy that the office is in place and it is very much open to him to make a submission requesting the regulator to look at any particular issue. We are currently in the process of appointing the board which will oversee the work of the regulator and which will be able to feed into decision around particular issues to look at.

So no answers.

An Teachta O’Dowd.

It seems to be news to the Minister-----

It is not news to me at all. I know the Deputy likes dramatics on the floor of the Dáil. I am encouraging him to put a question to the regulator.

I am not giving any more time.

I want answers on the floor of the Dáil, unlike the Minister.

Deputy, there are 13 Members left.

Well I hope they succeed in getting answers because I am not getting any.

The Deputy is out of order and I am out of patience.

This is a charade. Questions imply answers.

The Deputy is out of order and I am out of patience. My role here is to call Deputies. I ask for his co-operation.