Vol. 493 No. 2
127 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether she has investigated the recent increases in the price of beer and spirits; and the plans, if any, she has for action in relation to these increases. [15496/98]
Government policy in the prices area is to encourage competition and to promote greater price awareness among consumers. As the Deputy is aware, prices in this area are not controlled by regulation — the price levels are determined by the market. However, competition in the market is governed by the rules of competition as set out in the Competition Acts.
The Competition Authority recently announced that it had instituted proceedings against the Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland, as well as a number of individual publicans, alleging breaches of section 4 of the Competition Act, 1991.
The Competition Authority decided on 30 January 1997 to invoke its powers under section 11 of the Competition Act to conduct a study of the drinks market. The terms of reference set by the authority for its study were to undertake a study and analysis of the liquor licensing laws and other barriers to entry and their impact on competition in the retail drinks market in the State. The authority's study has not yet been published.
