Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the government’s intention to finally move on her repeated calls to grant the Agri-Food Regulator increased powers to improve transparency in food supply chains.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said:
“With suspected price gouging by supermarkets continuing to squeeze household budgets, it’s more important than ever that we can see a breakdown of the costs being incurred by producers in the agri-food sector.
“In the Dáil, I have repeatedly called on the government to give the Agri-Food Regulator the enhanced powers it needs to compel the provision of necessary price and market information from relevant businesses in the agri-food supply chain. This will allow it to fulfil its price and market data analysis function.
“Additional powers for the Agri-Food Regulator were sought by the Social Democrats as part of our Dáil motion earlier this year seeking more transparency on supermarket profits. In recent weeks I also submitted proposed legislation in this area, which is currently awaiting approval from the Bills Office.
“With families really struggling to put food on the table this winter amid soaring grocery costs, today’s decision by Cabinet to finally move on this issue is long overdue.”
December 16, 2025