asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Mr. J. Crossan, Port Road, Letterkenny, recently erected a petrol pump at the above address, and that he possesses the necessary licence for the sale of motor spirit but that, due to the influence of the Motor Traders' Association, he is unable to obtain supplies of petrol from any of the petrol companies operating in that area; and whether, in view of this situation, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Crossan gets the supplies to which he is obviously entitled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Letterkenny Petrol Pump.
I am aware that the individual referred to has been refused supplies of petrol for resale by two of the oil companies distributing petrol in the Letterkenny area, but there is at present no statutory authority which would enable me to have the circumstances of the case fully investigated or to enforce any remedial measures which, after investigation, might be found necessary. I would refer the Deputy to the statement I made in Dáil Éireann in reply to a question on 31st October, 1951, that I hope shortly to be in a position to introduce a Bill containing legislative proposals in regard to restrictive trade practices.
Is the Minister aware that the facilities provided by Mr. Crossan were availed of by turf and fish hauliers; that they were facilities which were needed by the people and that there were no such facilities until the advent of Mr. Crossan? In view of this fact, would the Minister suggest to the oil companies to make supplies available? Is the Minister further aware that supplies procured from outside sources have been available from this pump over the last 15 months and that supplies are now being withheld, due to the fact that the garages supplying the petrol to Mr. Crossan have been threatened by the local Motor Traders' Association that if they do not cease giving those supplies they themselves would have their supplies cut off by the company?
I have no information concerning this case except that which was supplied to me. I have no means of checking its accuracy or whether a refusal of supplies in this case was justified. In the absence of statutory authority there is nothing I can do except to speed up the measure to get the statutory authority.
If I supply the Minister with correspondence and other evidence in regard to this matter would he then have a full investigation carried out in regard to having supplies made available?