asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the inadequacy of the evidence submitted by the Dublin coal importers in support of their claim for an increase of £2 8s. 6d. a ton, he will not sanction any increase until the claim has been re-examined in public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in Coal Prices.
As the Deputy is aware, I have accepted a recommendation from the Prices Advisory Body that the application by the Dublin coal importers for an increase in coal prices should be limited to an increase of £1 10s. a ton as a maximum instead of the £2 8s. 6d. for which they asked. It is the function of the Prices Advisory Body to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy or otherwise of the information supplied to them in support of any claims for revision of prices and I have no doubt about the competence of the Advisory Body to discharge this function.
Did the Minister, in the report from the body, receive no evidence or information that the consumers' representatives at that inquiry last Friday were dissatisfied with the information available? Did he also receive no information that they were promised additional costings before this increase would be granted? If he received such information, why did he allow the increase to take place until he was satisfied that the information was correct?
The Prices Advisory Body is entitled to ask for and, in so far as it is available, get, whatever information it requires before coming to a decision in this or any other matter. The Prices Advisory Body have reported to me and have not indicated to me that they were in any way handicapped by the absence of any information whatever. So far as I am concerned and so far as their report is concerned, they appear to have had sufficient evidence for their own requirements to enable them to come to a judgment on this case.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I give notice that I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon.