Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Apr 1995

Vol. 452 No. 2

Written Answers. - Retail Prices for Bacon Products.

Neil T.C. Blaney

Question:

104 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, in view of the fact that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry has stated that he does not have legal powers available to him to investigate the disparity between retail bacon prices and the price paid to producers, that the powers of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs are inadequate to deal with the matter and in view of the fact that his Department is responsible for the proper functioning of the retail pricing system, if he will have this matter resolved. [7793/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Like my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, there is no action open to me to intervene as regards retail prices for bacon products.

Official price control was discontinued in 1986 on the basis that free and fair competition would better regulate prices and thus provide greater benefit to the consumer.

I am informed that the Director of Consumer Affairs found, following an investigation of bacon prices carried out about three years ago, that, inter alia, there was no evidence of price collusion or the operation of retail maintenance by processors.

All anti-competitive practices are now outlawed under the Competition Act, 1991. Under the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, the Competition Authority shall be empowered to investigate anti-competitive activity, either on its own initiative or as a result of third party complaints. The Authority does not have such power at present.