Nuala Fennell
Question:226 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will control the retail price of Irish spring water in view of the fact that publicans are charging £1 for bottles which they buy at 30p.
Written Answers. - Cost of Spring Water.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Prices Commission were disbanded and centralised price control was abandoned in 1986. I wish to avoid the reintroduction of such controls. In comparing prices charged by various establishments, one must compare like with like. One has to take into account the service provided, as well as the product. However, I would be very concerned if publicans generally were taking excessive margins. Consumer awareness should influence competition and I would urge consumers to discriminate in favour of the keener price taking account, where appropriate, of the service provided.
It is Government policy to place a greater emphasis on ensuring that a competitive market and consumer awareness about prices exist. To this end, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to strengthening Irish competition legislation. A Bill, which I propose to bring before the Houses of the Oireachtas for enactment this year, is being prepared to achieve this.