asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a case recently heard before the District Justice at Ennistymon when a baker was convicted and fined for not selling bread by weight, the defence in the case being that the bread in question was fancy bread and as such appeared to be exempt from the terms of the Act which states that all bread must be sold by weight, except fancy bread and further, to ask the Minister if he will give instructions for the cessation of such prosecutions throughout the country until the law is amended or until a properly agreed definition is arrived at as to what constituted "fancy bread."
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Bread by Weight.
My attention had not been drawn to the case referred to by the Deputy until I read his question. It is not within my power to issue instructions of the type referred to in the latter part of the question.
That is not an answer to the question put down. The Minister must be aware that there has been a good deal of trouble in the county with regard to these prosecutions, and a great amount of difficulty with regard to the definition of what is fancy bread. I ask the Minister if he intends at any time in the near future to bring in legislation dealing with the sale of bread by weight, and dealing with a proper definition of what constitutes fancy bread. At the present time what is called household bread in one part of the country is fancy bread in another, and a prosecution under one heading in one district will fail in another part of the country owing to local usage. Speaking on behalf of the trade generally, I may say that we are anxious that there should be some proper definition arrived at in regard to the sale of bread. In any legislation that he may introduce will the Minister consult the traders through the Irish Master Bakers' Association, so that a proper understanding may be arrived at?
The position in regard to the sale of bread is governed by a very old statute, dated 1838, I think. An amendment of that statute has been under consideration and certain proposals have been already put forward with that object in view. I have no doubt that when the matter arises for legislation the Minister for Industry and Commerce will be glad to consult with the responsible people in the trade with regard to it.