asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy (i) if discussions have taken place with the National Prices Commission with a view to the revision of the price control system; and (ii) the proposals, if any, that have been discussed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Control.
10.
In reply to a similar question on 25th October, 1977, I confirmed that I had a meeting with the National Prices Commission on 27th July, 1977, at which I put forward detailed proposals for more vigorous examination of price increase applications. I am at present examining the commission's response to these proposals, and until a decision in the matter is taken by me in consultation with my colleagues in the Government it would be inappropriate to give details of the proposals discussed.
What proposals has the Minister in mind in respect of changes he might envisage in the format of the National Prices Commission? In the light of the stated policy of the Government regarding the full dissemination on a weekly basis of price changes and comparisons, has the Minister received the October report from the National Prices Commission? I should like to know why we have had only one report so far. For reasons that were explained at the time, the August and September reports were telescoped into one report which was published in early November. We have not yet received the October report and it is now early December.
Is the Deputy asking a question?
I should like to know why.
The first supplementary was part of the original question and I answered that. Concerning the weekly dissemination, my Parliamentary Secretary had discussions with RTE with a view to having a programme on radio or television in which this information could be given but I understand that she did not meet with great success in that respect. So far as the November or October edition of the report is concerned——
The October report.
I do not think it arises out of this question. In any event, I received it and it will be published at the normal time, which will be within ten days or a fortnight. The Deputy may not be aware that in the past it was three months or more before the publication of these reports, and there is no abnormal delay with the October report.
I am not talking about the past. The Minister in the past was very critical of the then Minister for the delay in the publication of these reports.
I was, when it went over three months.
We are now into the third month.
We are not into the third month. We got it only last month.
I should like to point out to the Minister that the assurance given did not depend on the co-operation of RTE. It was not given by RTE but by the Minister's party and in the light of that it is a very lame excuse to say that RTE will not co-operate. How does the Minister propose to disseminate this knowledge and live up to the expectations created?
I do not see that any of this arises out of Question No. 10. My Parliamentary Secretary's reason for approaching RTE is that, as far as I am aware, they are the only radio and television station broadcasting in this country and there is no other body that could be approached.
Question No. 11.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I ask a supplementary on Question No. 10?
If you do so quickly.
Yes, I will. In connection with his Parliamentary Secretary's efforts with RTE, did the Minister consider the power available to him under section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act which would entitle him to require RTE to broadcast this information, which his party promised, in the shape of a ministerial announcement?
I do not think this would be an appropriate use of section 31.
Would not the people decide that?
We are finished with that question.