Vol. 414 No. 9
15 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reason he refused a request from pig farmers that an IFA report on excessive profiteering in the bacon industry be investigated by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The IFA report which was sent to me was also sent to the Fair Trade Commission and to the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade. I understand that the director, who is independent in the exercise of his functions, has had a meeting with the IFA to discuss the report and is conducting investigations into certain aspects of the matters in question. It will be for the director to decide what further action, if any, he can take in the light of his investigations.
I would also point out that, with the coming into force in October 1991 of the Competition Act, 1991, it is now open to the IFA or their members, if they consider themselves to be aggrieved, to take action against any party involved in an anti-competitive concerted action or abuse prohibited by the Act.
