asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that retailers of consumer goods are not displaying price lists in accordance with the regulations, and if he will state, in respect of the past nine months, the number of prosecutions in this connection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Display of Price Lists.
I am aware that retailers of consumer goods are not displaying the price lists to a satisfactory extent. Regulations requiring the display of price lists apply only to certain specified foodstuffs and the position regarding the display of these price lists is being kept under constant review. Traders have been advised by Press and radio annuncement of their obligations in this matter and they have been warned that failure to display price lists renders them liable to prosecution.
The current regulation requiring the display of a price list has now been in operation since September, 1955. Every effort has been made to induce the cooperation of traders and the stage has now been reached where prosecutions will have to be undertaken when the regulation is not observed. Inspectors of my Department have in recent weeks been engaged in an intensive survey, both in Dublin and in provincial areas, for the purpose of obtaining the evidence necessary to support prosecutions against traders who have not yet complied with the regulation.
I should mention that approximately 66 per cent. of the traders visited in Dublin and district have been found to be displaying the price list.
Despite the fact that the Minister is aware the regulations have been broken, is it a fact that no prosecutions have yet been taken?
We have preferred to proceed by the method of inducement and urging rather than by the method of prosecution. The inducement and urging have produced a response of 66 per cent. compliance in Dublin but it is clear that as far as the provinces are concerned there is a greater degree of non-compliance. Having given all methods of persuasion a trial, the time has now arrived when, if the terms of the regulations are not complied with, prosecutions would appear to be inevitable.