asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his reference in a recent public speech to pipsqueaks of inspectors is to be interpreted as meaning that price-control and rationing regulations are no longer to be enforced by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Control and Rationing.
The answer is in the negative.
May I ask the Minister if it is proposed to enforce the price control and rationing regulations by means of inspections of traders' accounts?
That is a separate question.
I do not think so. May I submit to the Minister that it is an elaboration of the question on the Order Paper? Is the inspection of traders' accounts and books to continue to be the policy of the Department of Industry and Commerce?
That is a separate question.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I have received, I have no option but to raise this question again on the Adjournment.
Does the Minister still regard his inspectors as pipsqueaks?
That is the sort of question one could expect from Deputy MacEntee. I would not advise the Deputy to draw me on what has happened during the last 16 years.
The Deputy's statement is on record.