asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is his intention to introduce sugar rationing; and if he will make a statement on the current sugar shortage in the shops.
166.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar Shortage.
165.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement concerning the non-availability of sugar for consumers during September; and if he will give an assurance that there will be no scarcity during the Christmas period.
167.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will hold an inquiry into the distribution of sugar throughout the country as it does not seem to be getting to shops in sufficient quantities to meet demand.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166 and 167 together.
I am assured by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann that they have been making adequate supplies of sugar available to meet consumer needs here and will continue to do so. I am aware, however, that there has been widespread panic buying of sugar. I am satisfied that this has been caused at least in part by the action of some traders in the chain of distribution who have been exporting sugar which was made available to them for home distribution.
The whole problem seems to have arisen out of a temporary disturbance of the European and world markets for sugar. The agreement recently reached in Luxembourg by the EEC Council of Ministers for Agriculture should have the effect of restoring supplies in the Community to a more normal level from the beginning of 1975, and I would hope that this would result in the disappearance of the shortages experienced in this country. In the meantime, I have asked the examiner of restrictive practices to look into the supply situation, and Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann are continuing their efforts to identify and close off the sources of the leakages.
Is the Minister aware that a spokesman for the Sugar Company said last night it was becoming evident that sugar was being exported? Further is he aware that if a lorry-load of sugar is exported to Northern Ireland or Britain the owner could reap a profit of at least £3,000? Is the Minister doing anything to close the route in this case?
While I would have difficulty in confirming the exact profit figure which the Deputy has quoted, I know there is leakage of sugar out of the Irish distribution mechanism and that a small number of people in the distribution mechanism are behaving scandalously and are profiteering. This is an extremely reprehensible action on their part. But I assure the Deputy that Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, which is the only supplier in this context, have been investigating the distribution mechanism and are doing their utmost to identify the relatively small number who are profiteering from the situation. They are acting with the utmost vigour to shut off supplies to the profiteers. Incidentally, the amount of information available to Deputies in their local contacts could be of great help to the Sugar Company, to my Department and to the examiner of restrictive practices in finding the precise location of abuses and ending them. I would welcome the co-operation of Deputies and the public in ending the situation of profiteering by a small number of people who are behaving scandalously in a difficult situation.
Would the Minister not take action, or ask the Minister for Justice, to stop this illegal export?
Where information is available to me I shall act to the limit of my powers, and I am sure the Minister for Justice will do the same.
Can the Minister explain why certain supermarket establishments in Dublin have sugar under the counter?
That is not referred to in the questions.
This is a very important question because people cannot buy a pound of sugar in supermarkets.
That has nothing to do with the questions we are discussing.
The Minister said he was aware a number of distributors were acting in a reprehensible manner. If the Minister knows who these people are, is there any action he can take? He has referred to the examiner of restrictive practices but I find it difficult to understand his functions in this matter except in so far as it may refer to the supermarket operator who will sell 21bs. of sugar to the housewife provided she buys £4 or £5 worth of goods. This is a horrible practice when one considers the plight of an old person who may need sugar but cannot afford to spend a large amount of money on other goods.
I am in complete agreement with the last observation of the Deputy. With regard to the manufacture of sugar and the beginning of the distribution chain from Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, the Deputy will be aware that is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. With regard to illegal exportation, again it is not the responsibility of my Department. It was necessary for me to seek a mechanism by which we could have an investigation of the whole distribution chain, not only to identify if there were improper practices at retail level in supermarkets, if people's arms were being twisted with regard to other purchases, but also to see if the distribution mechanism at any stage from CSET to the retailers was being improperly used. It is within the competence of the examiner of restrictive practices to look at that distribution chain and we are doing that in an effort to identify the spot at which leakages are occurring. The Deputy will appreciate however that certain areas do not come within the competence of my Department.