Vol. 524 No. 1
35 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to monitor compliance with the terms of the recent drink prices order; the number of inspections that have taken place to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21552/00]
I am informed by the Director of Consumer Affairs, who enforces the order on the freezing of drink prices, that her inspectorate has been involved in a series of visits to licensed premises to ensure compliance. A total of 883 premises have been visited and 217 of these have been visited a second time. In initial visits, the general position apparently was that premises were not in a position to provide evidence of compliance with the order. However, I understand from the director that, as time goes on, this evidence has been more forthcoming.
To date, the director has initiated proceedings in one case, where there have been breaches of the order, and this is scheduled to come before the Dublin District Court on 8 December. The director is considering the legal position in the other cases.
In addition, prosecutions are under way concerning breaches of the order in relation to the display of drink prices, in respect of those cases where the price charged exceeded the price displayed, and which were discovered in the course of the inspection process on the price freeze.
The ODCA inspectors will of course continue to enforce the drink prices freeze, and the director and I share the view that special vigilance will be required in the run up to Christmas and the New Year.
