asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that on licences issued by his Department to individual importers in County Donegal to import bakers' flour free of duty, household flour has been imported and supplied at cut prices by those individuals to selected customers to the grave detriment of their commercial rivals in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Licences.
My Department is not aware that bakers' flour imported into County Donegal under licence has been sold as household flour and supplied at cut prices to selected customers in the areas concerned.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, if the Minister had read the question a little more carefully he would realise that his answer does not apply. I asked him if he is aware that on licences issued by his Department to individual importers in County Donegal to import bakers' flour free of duty, household flour was actually imported and sold through the country at cut prices to the detriment of trade rivals. I have drawn the Minister's attention to this and have communicated with him in writing and asked him if he has taken any steps to send any of his officials down to the area and ascertain whether or not the facts that I allege are true.
We have no information that the allegations made are well founded. Even if we had, there is no means at our disposal to remedy the situation. No question of further licences can arise.
Does the Minister suggest that if he issues a licence for the importation of one commodity duty free, and that licence is used for quite another commodity and for quite another purpose, that he has no remedy?
That position has not arisen. At least, it is the first time I have heard of it.
The Minister will see from the question that I have asked him—if he is aware that on licences issued by his Department to individual importers in County Donegal to import bakers' flour free of duty, household flour has been imported by these licensees and supplied at cut prices to selected customers to the grave detriment of their commercial rivals in that area. That is a specific question.
And the answer is in the negative.
I asked the Minister to investigate it. Will the Minister take steps to make further inquiries as to whether or not these allegations are true? I can assure the Minister that if he takes such steps, abundant evidence will be made available to his Department to prove that the facts are as stated.