Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 5

Written Answers. - Sale of Electrical Goods in ESB Shops.

Paul Bradford

Question:

129 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on the ongoing complaints from electrical retailers that the sale of electrical goods in ESB shops and on whether the use of the billing system in this regard, constitutes unfair competition and is a threat to jobs in many retail outlets.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I am aware that the Small Business Task Force received a number of representations in the matter, as a result of which the Minister for Commerce and Technology at my Department wrote to the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications who has primary responsibility in this area.

Measures already introduced by the ESB to address the problem include a new invoicing system and confining the promotion of electrical appliance sales to three billing periods annually, which the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications considers a reasonable balance between the needs of consumers and other appliance retailers.

I am aware of claims that the ESB's use of the billing system may be responsible for job losses in the independent electrical retail sector, I am having this matter investigated within my Department.