asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will institute an inquiry by a Prices Advisory Committee into the prices of shoes, particularly those of women and children, and of repairs to shoes, in view of the present exorbitant charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price and Quality of Shoes.
I have received no recent complaints that exorbitant charges are being made either for shoes or shoe repairs. In the circumstances, I see no point in instituting an inquiry as suggested.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of public dissatisfaction with the quality of shoes; and whether a standard specification has been prescribed in relation to shoes, and, if not, whether he will request the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to prepare a specification.
I am not aware of public dissatisfaction with the quality of shoes. Although sales of shoes (other than rubber footwear) in this country are of the order of 5,000,000 pairs a year only six complaints have been received in my Department this year and, in at least three of these cases, the quality of the footwear was not at fault. The fact that the Irish footwear industry effects substantial sales in the highly competitive export market is in itself evidence of a high degree of efficiency in the industry.
The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards has not declared a standard specification for shoes though they have for men's heavy boots. It is doubtful whether men's and women's shoes are suitable subjects for standard specification.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that he has not received any complaints in connection with the shoe trade generally?
No; I have not heard any complaints.
If the Minister is given substantial evidence that a great deal of justifiable dissatisfaction exists in this city, and in every other place throughout the country, amongst people with moderate incomes, firstly, in connection with the price of ladies and children's shoes and secondly, with the fact that these shoes give no real lasting value——
In other words, they do not last.
——will the Minister have the matter investigated?
Certainly, but there will have to be evidence.
If people make complaints, having bought the shoes, that should be sufficient evidence.