asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is his policy to leave the sales of electric appliances mainly to private enterprise firms or to extend the activities of the ESB in this field.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sales of Electric Appliances.
11.
The trading activities of the Electricity Supply Board have been undertaken under statutory powers conferred on the Board on its establishment by the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927. It is the duty of the Board to promote the sale of electricity and to this end they are also empowered to promote the sale of electric appliances, apparatus, et cetera. Due regard is given by the Board to the legitimate interests of private electrical contractors.
I am not aware of any compelling reasons for change in the present situation.
Does the Minister feel that the merchandise sales section of the ESB should continue to expand, as it can if they wish it, and so remove from private enterprise firms the opportunity to expand in the restricted market that is available? Are we or are we not a private enterprise economy?
I have never had any major complaints from any association involved in the sale of these appliances in regard to the activities of the ESB. I think it could be argued that traffic breeds traffic or that trade breeds trade. Furthermore, it might be argued that the general publicity activities of the ESB do not hinder the sale of appliances by private firms. The ESB make contractual arrangements with a number of private firms so that the hire purchase can be collected by the ESB on the account of the consumer. That account provides an additional hire purchase facility to the one which the appliance seller might ordinarily use.
Is the Minister not aware that one of the problems related to this matter is that, the ESB being a State monopoly, very many customers regard that fact as giving some kind of enhanced value or guarantee of appliances of this sort sold by the ESB rather than for similar articles purchased in an ordinary trader's shop which is in competition with it? I think the kernel of the question is whether or not the Minister regards it as fair, and if it is Government policy, that there should be an extension of ESB effort and sales in the lines of these appliances in competition with the private trader.
I have already answered the last part of the Deputy's question. I should be surprised if the guarantee for well-known and established branded appliances, for which there is a specific guarantee of quality and a guarantee providing for free repair or free maintenance within a specific period, sold by the ESB would be more extensive than in the case of a private trader: I very much doubt it. If the Deputy knows of any instance where the ESB offer a surer form of guarantee on a specific appliance than a private contractor I should be glad if he would let me know because it would be unfair competition and in my view in that case the ESB should charge a higher price.
I am not suggesting that there is any further guarantee except that the purchaser, having purchased the appliance through the ESB, regards that as a greater guarantee and a more gilt-edged security than to buy the appliance elsewhere. I should be glad if the Minister or the Taoiseach would consider bringing in legislation to make it illegal to give guarantees which in most cases are purely restrictive documents.