Cross-border politicians vow consumer protection

Consumers must be sure they are not being misled when buying food in the wake of the horsemeat scandal, a gathering of British and Irish parliamentarians has insisted.

Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon raised concerns that major damage to the Irish meat industry and trade with Britain could result from the mislabelling of meat products.

The gathering of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Donegal was addressed by Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan, who said the EU needs to “get its act together” on country of origin status.

Jim Wells, a DUP member of the Stormont assembly, praised the Republic’s checking system, saying it was difficult to believe British authorities had never tested for horsemeat before the scandal broke in early January.

Mr Heydon also questioned whether quality could be sustained when burgers were being produced in such volume at low cost.

The assembly resolved to bring the matter to the attention of the European Commission.

The gathering also saw ESB CEO Pat O’Doherty stand over pay levels at the company despite criticism at a Dáil committee.

Mr Heydon told him: “High wages and salaries in organisations like the ESB can be upsetting to people who are paying those costs.”

Fianna Fáil senator Jim Walsh also raised the issue, as Mr O’Doherty had good relations with trade unions.

Mr O’Doherty urged a new attitude to investment into the energy sector.

“In Ireland alone, Deloitte reckons that the changes needed to transform the electricity sector will cost up to €50bn over the next two decades,” said Mr O’Doherty.

“That means doubling historic levels of investment. Investment in long-cycle energy projects can only take place in the context of long-term market and regulatory certainly. Governments must therefore look beyond short or medium horizons to develop policy frameworks that focus on the long term, while encouraging investment in the short to medium term.”