asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that many of the well-known makes of cycles manufactured in Britain are sold to the Irish public at a price greatly in excess of that charged to the British public; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to protect Irish purchasers of British made cycles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Bicycles.
All the well-known makes of bicycles manufactured in Britain are sold to the Irish public much below the prices charged to the British public which includes purchase tax. The prices here are only a few shillings higher than the British prices less purchase tax and the differential is accounted for by extra costs under the headings of freight and rail charges, insurance, delivery and assembly.
Arising out of the last series of questions, can the Parliamentary Secretary give us any guarantee that in two years' time Deputies will not be asking similar questions and getting similar replies? It is two years since questions of this nature were put down first.
I cannot give any guarantee what I will answer in two years' time. I can say that in regard to any proposals that have been received they have been sympathetically considered, and every encouragement has been offered to prospective industrialists who wished to assemble here. Any delay that has occurred has been on the part of those concerned.