asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state categorically whether the Government propose to establish a Prices Tribunal for the purpose of controlling prices and of thus preventing any exploitation of the consumers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Prices.
23.
I made it clear in reply to questions on prices on 23rd October, 1963, volume 205, column 48 of the Dáil Debates, that I will not hesitate to take action under the Prices Act, 1958 if any undue increases take place.
I have nothing to add to that statement.
Bearing in mind the fact that the daily papers are constantly reporting increases in prices effective from a date anterior to the coming into operation of the turnover tax, will he now say that he will use the machinery at his disposal to protect the ordinary, simple, defenceless consumer from these increases in prices?
I have said that I will do so, if there is sufficient justification.
Will the Minister give an indication as to when, so that the public will know that someone is prepared to take the field on their behalf?
A number of manufacturing and distributing firms have indicated that they will maintain existing prices, despite the coming into operation of the turnover tax. I believe that in the long run, and probably in the short run also, competition will control prices, but, in the mean-time, if there is evidence of undue increase in prices, I shall take action.
What percentage increase would the Minister consider an undue increase?
An announcement is not an increase. It is politics.