asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to reports (details supplied) regarding an alleged racket in seeking subscriptions for magazines; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions, Oral Answers. - Subscriptions for Magazines.
32.
The newspaper articles in question refer, primarily, to a type of salesmanship whereby the prospective purchaser is given to understand that taking out a subscription to a magazine will help the seller to obtain or retain a scholarship. This seems to involve no breach of the law even if what is said is untrue. There is also a suggestion in the newspaper articles that, in some cases where deposits were taken up, the magazines were not delivered but this may be only a matter of delay in putting through the order, and I understand that when a complaint about a similar scheme was investigated some years ago it was found that this was so. In that event, also, there would be no basis for Garda intervention.
Even if there is a complete failure to fulfil an order, this is not, on the face of it, any more than a breach of contract even if payment had been made. If, however, it were shown that there was a systematic acceptance of deposits or subscriptions which were not being honoured, this could be a different matter. Accordingly, anybody with a valid complaint on this score should report it to the local Garda as a series of complaints might provide a basis for Garda intervention.
Of course it would be better still if people who are approached in this way would refuse to hand out money at the door to salesmen of whose identity and credentials they have no proper proof.