asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that proprietors of petrol stations are being pressurised to handle trading stamps (details supplied) which they do not wish to do; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trading Stamps.
52.
The Petrol Retailers' Association recently made representations on this subject and their problems are being examined. As the matter is under investigation, it would not be appropriate for me to comment, beyond saying that I have already announced that I propose to regulate stamp trading by legislation.
Would the Minister agree—without committing himself to anything that would influence a sub judice situation—that the public are quite annoyed with the petrol stations handling stamps, about which they are obviously not very enthusiastic, at a time when the price of petrol has gone to such a high pitch?
I certainly agree that the whole matter is unsatisfactory at the moment. I am aware of public annoyance about it.
I welcome the Minister's statement regarding the introduction of legislation. Could I ask him how soon he thinks he might be in a position to introduce such legislation?
Perhaps I have been unduly optimistic in the past about the time that preparation of legislation takes but I hope to do it in the session when we resume after the vacation.
That is an extremely important statement the Minister has made and I should like to have it clarified. Can we take it from what the Minister has said that he does propose to introduce legislation to outlaw stamp trading.
No, I did not say I proposed that. I repeat—and I made this clear in answer to previous questions—I propose to regulate stamp trading.
In view of the fact that the Minister is on record in this House as saying that his predecessor had intended to outlaw stamp trading and had changed his mind——
The Deputy is engaging in argument.
This is not so. I want to get this on the record. Is the Minister aware that a number of managers of those petrol stations to which Deputy Brennan's question refers are actually working at a loss because of stamp trading?
The Deputy is continuing to argue. Question No. 53, please.
I am so aware.
As a final supplementary question, might I ask the Minister if he is aware that the public are quite annoyed at this question of stamps and the nuisance it causes, that they would prefer to get the proper value instead of having to mess around with filling up books.
We are having statements now rather than questions. Question No. 53, please.