Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Competition Authority.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

151 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to a significant difference between the value of the marked sterling price on printed material and the converted euro price, charged by retailers for many magazines and materials printed in Britain and circulated here; if she will raise the matter with the Competition Authority in order to ensure that the potential for the rip-off of the consumer to which reference was recently made is counteracted by the implementation of the powers available to the Competition Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11711/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The main role of Government in relation to prices of goods and services generally is to seek to ensure that markets are working properly for the benefit of consumers and of the economy as a whole. I am not aware of any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in the sector referred to in the question. If the Deputy has any such evidence I would urge him to submit it to the Competition Authority for investigation and any action it may consider appropriate.