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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1943

Vol. 90 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shirt Prices.

asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that shirt manufacturers in Eire are charging 108/- per dozen to wholesale and 126/-per dozen to retail for utility tunic shirts; that this price to the retail represents a profit of approximately 100 per cent. on cost for the manufacturers; whether he has consented to these prices being charged; and, if so, if he will reverse his decision in this matter.

I am not aware that shirt manufacturers are charging prices which represent 100 per cent. on cost for utility tunic shirts. I have not been consulted about, nor have I consented to, any such prices. No such prices for tunic shirts have been fixed under my authority. If the Deputy can give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I will have the matter investigated.

Is the Minister aware that, under arrangements made in his Department, all printed shirting material is being delivered to a group of shirt manufacturers in Dublin for distribution amongst all classes of manufacturers of shirts throughout the country; that that cloth is costing 1/0½ a yard, that 37 yards make a dozen shirts and the cut, make and trim of those shirts amount to between 24/-and 30/- per dozen, leaving the net cost to the manufacturer 66/- a dozen ex-factory; that they are at present charging—and invoices are available— for those shirts at 108/- per dozen to the wholesaler, and 126/- per dozen to the retailer, and that those shirts are being sold in Dublin at the present moment at 14/11 per garment, having cost 5/6 to manufacture. Will the Minister tolerate so grave an abuse of an arrangement made by him designed to secure cheap shirts for the comparatively poor people who use them?

It seems to me that is merely repetition, in an altered form, of the question on the Order Paper. I have informed the Deputy that, so far as I am aware, the information which he gives is not correct, that no prices of the kind he has quoted have been fixed under my authority, and that if he has particulars of any such case I will be glad if he will furnish them to me.

Will the Minister investigate the circumstances here set out by me, which I now formally and publicly allege to be true to my certain knowedge, that shirts are costing the man who makes them 66/- a dozen, and are being sold to the wholesaler at 108/-, and to the retailer at 126/-?

The Deputy should not repeat his supplementary.

The Minister keeps saying that he has no information. I am giving him the information.

The Deputy has already given it in detail.

I am asking the Minister will he investigate that; will he cause investigation to be made?

If the Deputy will forward the particulars he says he has, the matter will be investigated.

These are the particulars. I am giving them to the Minister now. Will he investigate them? Surely I am entitled to ask that?

I am not going to answer it four times. I have answered it three times.

Will the Minister investigate the allegations I am making now? Will he cause inquiry to be made?

Question No. 2.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment.

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