andMr. O'Toole asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism when he expects to receive the report of the Restrictive Practices Commission following their inquiry into the sale of grocery goods below cost price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grocery Trade Inquiry.
33.
From the time that I directed that this inquiry should be held, I have been most anxious that the report by the Restrictive Practices Commission should be furnished to me with the minimum of delay. However, as I indicated in reply to a question by Deputy Michael O'Leary on 1 November 1979, the conduct of the inquiry is entirely a matter for the commission and I am not in a position to indicate when its report will be furnished to me.
I understand from the commission that, having regard to the nature of the issues involved and the fact that other commitments still remain to be discharged, it is unlikely that the report will be completed for some months to come.
Has the Minister any idea when the commission might report to him? The Minister in his reply mentioned some difficulties. Do I take it that the commission have broadened their terms of reference or their examination base since they were set up for this purpose——
No.
——and that that is delaying the final report?
To answer the first point, it will be some months to come, The difficulty arose because the commission had also to look into the issue that was before the House this morning, the petrol retail question. They were looking into the two things at the one time. With limited staff this has caused certain complications.
Is the Minister aware that this problem is escalating alarmingly and that while this procrastination is taking place many hundreds of small retail outlets are being held up to ransom? In the interim, prior to the recommendations being furnished, can the Minister do anything to alleviate the pressure on the victims and the problem being caused by the people who indulge in this kind of trade?
I do not accept the word "procrastination". It would be in the interests of all concerned if we waited for this report so that when action is taken it will be comprehensive. We are at the moment also examining recent submissions made by representatives of the wholesale trade with regard to their suggestions as to how we handle the problem mentioned by the Deputy.
I will allow the Deputy just one final supplementary.
Is the Minister aware of the report in one of this morning's newspapers concerning a multi-national chain group who showed losses in this country and major profits elsewhere and is the Minister satisfied that the losses in this country on paper are genuine losses or losses due to indulgence in the practice referred to in the question?
That is a separate question.
It is very much a separate question.
It may be a separate question but it has a very grave bearing on the subject matter of this question.
It is not down on the Order Paper.
This is not the first time that the Minister has tried to get out of this question.
Question No. 34 has gone for written reply.