asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that an alcoholic beverage (details supplied) is on sale in Dublin at prices varying from 16 new pence to 28 new pence per bottle; if he will inquire into the circumstances governing such a vast variation in price and take remedial action to protect consumers from excessive prices; and what control is exercised over prices charged for intoxicating liquor in hotels.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drink Prices.
47.
I am aware of the wide variation in the price of the alcoholic beverage in question. I should point out, however, that the price of 16 pence mentioned by the Deputy relates to sales by some off-licence retailers. As regards control over drink prices, I should point out that the informal control which I exercise is over public bar prices only. I do not generally intervene with regard to prices charged by lounges or by hotels on the general principle that, if a customer is dissatisfied with the prices charged in such places, he has the option of drinking elsewhere at lower prices.
Is the Minister aware that in an ordinary public bar in Dublin the price of the pint has gone up by one new penny since the coming into operation of the decimal currency system?
The particular alcoholic beverage referred to in the question does not relate to the pint.
But the Minister introduced the matter in his answer. He said his control was over ordinary public bar prices. I want to know from the Minister whether he is aware that the price of the ordinary pint has gone up by one new penny in the ordinary public bar. I had one yesterday, in fact, for the first time in years in a very inexpensive bar.
The Deputy is more up to date than I am at that rate.
I may be, but the fact remains that the price has gone up by one new penny, which is 2.4 old pence. Apparently the Minister's Department knows nothing about it.
In relation to applications from the Dublin vintners some time ago I agreed to a range of price changes, some of which involved a reduction in price in the change over to decimal currency.
I understand the reductions, but I want to know——
We cannot discuss this question all evening.
——is the Minister aware that the price of the ordinary pint, which normally I never drink, was 3s 4d up to the introduction of decimal currency; that would be 16½ new pence? The price being charged is, in fact, 17½ new pence in the ordinary bar in Dublin.
If that is so I shall have to have the matter looked into and I would be grateful if the Deputy would let me have the name of the offending party.
I do not think there would be any question of that because——
The bar is in the Deputy's constituency.
It is not, but I know it is one of the least expensive bars in Dublin.