asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy whether he has had any discussion with the licensed trade regarding the change to metrication; if so, the nature of these discussions; and the likely effect of metrication on drinks now sold in measures of a pint.
Written Answers. - Introduction of Metrication.
437.
The question of the possible discontinuation of the use of the pint as an authorised unit under the EEC Directives 71/354 and 76/770, on Units of Measurement, has been in abeyance for some years past. In these circumstances there have been no recent consultations with representatives of the licensed trade and none have been requested.
As the Deputy may be aware, the EEC directives referred to have set deadlines for the phasing out of certain, but not for all, imperial units of measurement. One of the units for which no such deadline has been set is the pint. The directive, however, requires that the future of all those imperial units for which no deadline has been set should be reviewed by the end of 1979.
For the purposes of this review discussions with the member states have lately been initiated by the European Commission. If arising from these discussions consultations with the interested groups, including the licensed trade, appear desirable such consultations will be arranged.
I should say, however, that at this stage it seems unlikely that there will for many years be any change in the status of the pint as a unit of measurement.
438.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the progress that has been made in relation to the introduction of metrication in this country; the areas yet to be converted; and the timetable.
Considerable progress has been made in the changeover. Indeed, it could be said that the metric system now operates in most spheres of activity in the country, exclusively in some sectors and in others on the basis that it is a freely available alternative to the imperial system. In industry, a survey in 1976 showed that 52 per cent of manufacturing firms were then mainly metric, and overall I am satisfied that progress has been maintained since then.
The rate of progress, however, varies among different sectors of industry. Those in which it is most marked include building and construction, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, milling and animal feedstuffs, textiles, flour confectionery and chemicals and paints.
One important sector in which much greater progress is necessary is that of prepacked goods. In some sectors—for example, engineering—the need to operate on the imperial system side by side with the metric system for repairs and replacement purposes will remain for many years. For these reasons it is difficult to be specific as to the areas of manufacturing and service industries which have yet to be converted.
The pace of completion of the changeover is largely conditioned by external developments in regard to metrication including the progress being achieved in the United Kingdom and the requirements of the EEC Units of Measurement Directive. For these reasons it would not be realistic to set a timetable for completion of the change.
439.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy whether he can give any estimate of the cost to Irish industry of the various stages of the phased metrication programmes; and whether any aid is available to industry to ease this burden.
I have no information regarding the cost to Irish industry of the various stages of the phased metrication programme. It is quite clear, however, that the advantages to Irish industry and commerce of changing over to the metric system are considerable and far outweigh the difficulties involved.
From the outset the Government's approach to this matter has been that responsibility for changing to the metric system rests with industry itself, bearing in mind that if a programme of change were imposed it might create otherwise avoidable pressures for individual industries or firms.
Apart from its responsibilities in relation to the EEC Directive on Units of Measurements, the role of my Department has been to help in promoting the change to metric by
—co-ordinating the metric proposals of the different sectors of industry, of distributors and consumers and of Government Departments, and
—by engaging in promotional and educational programmes aimed at the distributor and the consumer.
It has not been envisaged at any stage that assistance from public funds would be necessary or desirable to enable industry to effect the change over to the metric system.
440.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the formal consultation machinery in operation to facilitate the phased introduction of metrication.
In discharge of its role in relation to metrication my Department undertakes direct consultations, according as these are necessary or desirable, with a wide range of interests. Formal arrangements in an institutionalised sense for consultation have not been established, as it is considered that this would not have any advantage over the existing procedures.