asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a certain milling group has acquired several bakeries, flour mills, oatmeal mills and garages with a resultant loss of employment for baking trade operatives and a tendency towards centralisation of mills and bakeries, and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to limit the activities of such monopolies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Mills and Bakeries.
I am aware of recent developments involving the acquisition of some bakeries and other businesses by certain milling groups.
I refer the Deputy to a reply given to a similar question in the Dáil on December 5th, 1956, in which it was pointed out that there is no power to prevent the owners of bakeries from disposing of their businesses nor to prevent the acquisition of bakeries by milling concerns.
I should certainly hesitate before asking the Dáil to approve legislation to confer powers of this character unless it was clearly established that the general public interest was being very seriously prejudiced by the development.
Does the Minister think it is in the public interest that a great measure of control over our food supplies should be exercised by a group outside this State?
If the Deputy is urging that legislation to prevent it should be enacted here, it is up to him to show that it is against the public interest.
Does the Minister consider that, in a matter of this nature, it is desirable that control should be left in the hands of a limited group?
It is not the policy of this Government to prevent the owners of businesses from selling them unless it can be shown that the taking of the very drastic powers which would be involved is necessary in the interests of the general public.
Is the Minister aware that similar situations occurred in other countries and necessary legislation had to be produced?
I am not aware of it.