asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the progress, if any, that has been made in the examination of the practice of pyramid selling.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pyramid Selling.
71.
Following recommendations made to me by the Restrictive Practices Commission, I am preparing proposals for the stringent control of pyramid selling.
I am sure the Minister will have a note of the exact number of times I have put down this question. I am pleased to hear he has made some progress in the matter. Can he give us some information on the recommendations with regard to restrictions? Does he intend bringing in legislation to do away with this insidious practice?
The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question.
It is a matter I have pursued for a considerable time.
The Deputy has a long record indeed on this matter. I see the name of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and many others on the file during a number of years.
It was my persistence.
Yes, it has been admirable. I see the names of Deputies Garret FitzGerald, Lemass, Desmond, Lemass, Andrews, Lemass and Andrews in that order on the file. The position is that following the report of the Restrictive Practices Commission, I have a Bill prepared and the Deputy, from his previous experience in Government, will appreciate the time scale. The Bill is with other Departments and we expect to have it returned very promptly. I am not expecting any major revisions and when it is returned to my Department—I expect within a week or two —it will be brought before the Government and then before the House.
Can the Minister tell the House what kind of provisions will be in the Bill?
The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question. I am calling Question No. 72.
Would the Minister not agree that unless the Bill contains a section which prevents this unlawful kind of selling it will be useless? Does the Minister agree this is a fair proposition?
I have already called Question No. 72. The Deputy is widening the scope of the question.
The Minister replied to my question and I am asking him a supplementary.
The Chair is saying the further supplementary is enlarging the scope of the question asked.
The House is entitled to information.
That may be so but there are other questions on the Order Paper. Question No. 72.