asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received complaints from customers of boot and shoe salesmen in Clonakilty as to the quality and price of children's shoes manufactured in Éire; and, if so, if he has made inquiries in the matter; and if he can take any steps to secure that a better quality shoe at the price charged be provided for native wearers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality and Price of Children's Shoes.
One complaint as to the wearing quality of a particular pair of children's shoes was received by my Department from a resident in Clonakilty. Enquiries were made into the matter, but in the absence of evidence it was not possible to reach any definite conclusions. With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question, I am not prepared to accept an isolated complaint which was not substantiated as proof that footwear of Irish manufacture is defective in quality.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would it not in this particular case be sufficient evidence that a pair of children's shoes bought on the 1st December had to be sent back to be re-soled on the 14th December, exactly 14 days after being purchased? Surely the Minister knows that no person would send shoes to be repaired in this way unless they badly needed repair.
There is no evidence that these were the facts.
Well, I have definite information, and I have here in my hands correspondence from the manufacturers, Messrs. Rawson and Sons, with their customer. Is it not plain that that is sufficient evidence for any person to know that the shoes were re-soled 14 days after being purchased? Should not the Minister realise that if this is going to be allowed to continue, this one will not be the only complaint?