Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 1

Written Answers. - Milk Prices.

Peter Barry

Question:

121 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, under the Control of Prices Act, 1972, he can make a wholesale stabilisation price for milk as he did for bread at retail level in 1989; and his views on whether the making of such an order would contribute to the restoration of milk supplied to supermarkets and help to prevent the potentially serious loss of jobs if some supermarkets continue to refuse to buy dairy products from companies that are not, at present, supplying them with milk.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

Since 1986, responsibility for the making of orders under the Prices Act referred to by the Deputy in relation to milk has rested with the Minister for Agriculture and Food

Even if I had the power to fix prices in the manner suggested I would not do so. Such action in my view would be contrary to the principles of achieving competitive markets and is not to be advocated.

In relation to the final part of the Deputy's question, I am not aware that any supermarket is currently refusing to buy dairy products from particular companies that are not at present supplying it with milk and consequently the serious threat to employment envisaged by the Deputy does not appear to arise.