asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there are fixed prices for the sale of intoxicating liquor; and whether these prices are being observed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Liquor Prices.
82.
In accordance with the provision of statutory notices which have been in operation since 1965 brewers and distillers must give me advance notice of proposed increases and importers and wholesalers of intoxicating liquor must give me advance notice of proposed increases in their margins. Increases in prices of home-manufactured intoxicating liquor at the manufacturers' and wholesalers' levels may not, therefore, be implemented without my prior approval. Any increase in the import price of intoxicating liquor may be recovered by importers and wholesalers without my prior approval provided there is no increase in margins.
While I have power under the Prices Acts to make orders fixing maximum prices for drink should circumstances generally require such action, no such order is at present in force. Informal control of retail prices is, however, exercised. At present an application for an increase in retail prices for drink throughout the State is before the National Prices Commission who have engaged a specialist team to examine the application.
Does the Minister appreciate that there is a differential in price levels vis-á-vis Dublin city and contiguous areas?
Yes.
Can he explain the differential between Dublin city, County Dublin and other regions throughout the country.
There are differences in price. Even a small towns there are differences in the standard prices of drink. However, in the liquor business the competition is such that it tends to effect its own control. That is one of the reasons why I have no specific provision at the moment to control the price of drink.
When does the Minister anticipate the issuing of the report of the National Prices Commission?
That is entirely a different question.
I am not in a position to give an indication of when the report will be available. My understanding is that the commission were awaiting last April data from the licensed vintners' associations. It would have pointless for me to say I would have a report by, say, July or August, because it totally depends on the submissions being made by the interested parties.
Would the Minister agree that although statutorily he has not fixed prices, in effect he has inasmuch as he has told the trade that if prices were increased he would immediately introduce price control?
How long will the trade have to await the results of the commission's inquiry?
I have explained to Deputy Enright that the hold-up now is in the bailiwick of the vintners. The report will be submitted three or four weeks after the information is made available to the commission by the trade.
Is the Minister aware that in certain hotels run by semi-State bodies there is a difference in price of up to 10p per glass, and is he aware tourists are complaining bitterly at these prices?
There is definitely a difference in the prices of drink as between hotels and ordinary public houses.
How does the Minister condone it?
If the Deputy wants a reply to that he can put down a separate question.