asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to restore price-control on fertilisers because of the great variation in retail prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Prices.
11.
The present arrangements in relation to fertiliser prices were introduced by me in December, 1973, on the recommendation of the National Prices Commission. There are no proposals from the Commission to re-introduce the price controls previously exercised in relation to the price of fertilisers. I should point out that the controls previously in operation were mainly in relation to manufacturers' prices and that I did not exercise any control in relation to retail fertiliser prices.
In view of the many representations which the Minister has received from farming bodies generally, and in view of his own knowledge of the fertiliser price situation, would he not instruct the Prices Commission to go into this again and say in respect of their recommendations: "I do not think you are right. I think these commodities should be under price control."
As a matter of fact, the Prices Advisory Body are at the moment commencing an examination of the distribution of fertilisers in the country, and one of the matters which they will be considering will be the extent to which fertiliser prices have, since 29th June, 1973, increased by amounts in excess of the actual absolute increase in the costs incurred in their manufacture or importation. I am hopeful that when we have that report we shall be able to assess the situation more objectively.
Could we indicate our worry about the number of items, reports and proposals which are under consideration, which are being looked at, which are undergoing an ongoing review? What will farmers and others affected by the present situation do until all these have come to a happy conclusion in the sweet by and by?
The Deputy is enlarging the scope of this question.
The matters will be dealt with with all due speed.
What does the Parliamentary Secretary mean by "all due speed"? The speed is due but many results are also due, but we are not getting due results despite the due speed.