asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of undue pressure being placed by supermarket groups in Ireland on the Irish Sugar Company to supply granulated sugar at below cost price; and, if such pressure has been placed, the agreements that have been entered into to avoid its recurrence.
Written Answers. - Sugar Supplies to Supermarkets.
76.
I am not so aware. I am aware of recent difficulties between that company and a supermarket group, but these no longer exist and full trading relations have been restored.
As regards the pressures being brought to bear on suppliers by grocery retailers to obtain supplies of grocery goods on terms or conditions other than those contained in the suppliers's statement of terms or conditions of supply, I should like to point out that such practices are prohibited by the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1981, and any supplier who feels he is the victim of such pressures should contact the Examiner of Restrictive Practices, who is empowered by statute to investigate such matters.