asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state for the most recent year for which figures are available the percentage, by value, of all liquor sales in the duty-free shop at Shannon airport of (1) Irish whiskey, (2) Irish gin and (3) any other Irish liquor, and the total value of sales for such Irish liquor and for liquor not produced in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Duty-Free Shop: Liquor Sales.
18.
Sales of Irish whiskey, including liqueurs and of Irish gin represented 30% and 1%, respectively, of the total liquor sales at the duty-free shop at Shannon Airport in the year ended 30th September, 1960. The total value of Irish liquor sold in the period was £73,507 and of non-Irish liquor £167,776. These figures are not, of course, strictly comparable, as Irish liquors comprise whiskey, gin and liqueur only, while non-Irish liquors also include rum, brandy and wines. In fact, the sales of Irish whiskey and gin represented 40% of the total whiskey and gin sales. This compares with 1953/4 when the sales of Irish whiskey represented 30% of the total whiskey sales.
Would the Minister not agree that the percentage should be, and could be, stepped up by ensuring that only Irish whiskey is exposed for sale? Would the Minister further agree that the present position is that for every one bottle of Irish whiskey on the shelves for sale in the duty-free shop there are five bottles of different brands of Scotch whiskey? Is the Minister aware that the position now in relation to the dollar has changed and that the duty-free shop at Shannon should now be for the purpose of selling Irish goods rather than for the purpose of getting hard currency, as was undoubtedly a genuine reason for it before?
The catering manager has instructions to emphasise the display of Irish goods including Irish liquor in the duty-free shop and in the liquor shop but he is clearly entitled under the regulations to sell foreign goods at the same time. In the opinion of the catering manager, whose decision I do not at present question, the total sales including the sales of Irish goods and Irish liquor can be enhanced if there is a varying display of goods including foreign goods. That decision might be changed but I gather that the present practice is best in present circumstances.
Does the Minister not agree that it is undesirable that there should be a greater display of foreign whiskey than of Irish whiskey? I entirely agree with the Minister that Scotch whiskey should be available for sale, if requested, but I suggest that there should be a greater emphasis, by way of display, on Irish whiskey. If a person asks for whiskey, does the Minister not agree he should be offered Irish whiskey and not other whiskey?
It would be impossible for me to say as I do not know the particular circumstances.
Will the Minister inquire?
I shall have the Deputy's observations conveyed to them.