asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has noted the criticisms made in the public Press on the "Guaranteed Irish" campaign run by the Committee for the Promotion and Sale of Irish Goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - “Guaranteed Irish” Campaign.
18.
The newspaper report to which I assume the Deputy is alluding, referred to criticisms that the guaranteed Irish mark was not also a quality mark, setting defined standards for Irish manufacturers.
There are already arrangements under the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961, for laying down standard specifications for different products, and for permitting manufacturers whose goods meet those standards to use the prescribed standard mark.
It would be a lengthy and complex matter to prescribe standard specifications for every Irish-made product. The introduction of the "Guaranteed Irish" mark was therefore decided upon as a quick and effective way of informing consumers that the goods bearing this mark were of Irish manufacture; that the manufacturer was committed to high standards of quality and that every effort would be made to bring about a satisfactory outcome in the case of complaints.
I might mention that more than 200 companies are already using the new symbol on their products.
Have the Department any system whereby, in the case of firms using that symbol there can be a check on the quality of the article?
The carrying out of that scheme is in the hands of the working group which I set up under Mr. Tom Hardiman. I understand there is scrutiny at the time when the mark is given. As regards a follow up, this is a new scheme and I am not familiar with the position. I think the point the Deputy makes is important because it is clear from probing public opinion that the public first want identification, secondly, quality and thirdly, a guarantee that in the event of complaint some notice will be taken. There is an agreement signed between the working committee and the company before they can use the mark. I think that for the success of the scheme it is necessary that it be widely supported and the figure of 200 companies is twice the number of companies it was anticipated would be signed up at this time. The scheme has been welcomed both by the trade unions and the CII and although there has been criticism it is in very small volume compared with the amount of support. The condition of success is to have sufficient numbers participating for exclusion from the scheme on the basis of unsatisfactory performance to be a serious penalty. That means that if it is to succeed, whatever the criticisms may have been in the past we should welcome it and try to make it work. Only when it is widely supported will being shut out from the use of that guaranteed Irish mark constitute a penalty. I understand the promoters believe that position can be reached fairly quickly.