Vol. 307 No. 14
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the number of weeks in which there has been a full dissemination to radio, television and newspapers of comparative prices of the most frequently purchased consumer goods in supermarkets and so on in different parts of the country.
148.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when the scheme, by which there is full dissemination to radio, television and newspapers of comparative prices of the most frequently purchased consumer goods in supermarkets and so on in different parts of the country, commenced; and the cost of administering the scheme to date.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
A system of dissemination of price information has been in operation for 34 weeks, since 11 November 1977, when RTE began broadcasting on radio the results of a weekly survey of the prices in Dublin of the most common vegetables. This was later extended to cover the prices of popular fruits, and the price of chickens in supermarkets. The survey now includes prices in Dublin, Cork and Limerick of the commodities mentioned and these prices are broadcast on each Friday morning. Furthermore, the results of a monthly survey of the average price of meat in the larger population centres throughout the country are now being broadcast.
With regard to cost, there is no charge by RTE for broadcasting the information obtained from the surveys and no additional staff were required for this work.
The operation of the system is under continuous review, with a view to further improvements.
