Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Nov 1983

Vol. 346 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maximum Prices Orders.

9.

Mr. Flynn

asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number and type of items covered by maximum pricing orders; and if he considers the existing practice of publishing copies of the orders as a satisfactory way of informing the general public of the price increases involved.

Mr. Cluskey

As part of the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose to circulate for the information of the House a schedule giving details of the items covered by maximum prices orders. Copies of the orders referred to in the schedule are available in the Dáil Library. Notice of the making of these orders and, as appropriate, details of the maximum prices are advertised in the national daily newspapers. In addition, details of the maximum prices are readily available to the public if they contact their local Priceline Office. There has been no material change in recent years in the manner in which these orders are published and the existing practice is considered satisfactory.

Following is the statement:

ITEMS WHOSE MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICES ARE CONTROLLED BY ORDER

Type of Product	Title of Order	S.I. No.
(i) Milk	Maximum	Prices	(Milk) (No. 2) Order 1983	224 of 1983
(ii) Intoxicating Liquor	,,	,,	(Intoxicating Liquor) (No. 3) Order	335 of 1983
(iii) Sugar	,,	,,	(Sugar) Order 1983	227 of 1983
(iv) Butter	,,	,,	(Butter) (No. 2) Order 1983	167 of 1983
(v) Flour	,,	,,	(Flour) (No. 2) Order 1982	253 of 1982
(vi) Flakemeal	,,	,,	(Flakemeal) Order 1983	248 of 1983
(vii) Cornflakes	,,	,,	(Cornflakes) Order 1983	128 of 1983
(viii) Babyfoods	,,	,,	(Babyfoods) Order 1983	239 of 1983
(ix) Tinned Processed Peas and Beans	,,	,,	(Processed Peas and Beans) Order 1982	174 of 1982
(x) Frozen Sliced Green Beans; Frozen Garden Peas; Frozen Brussels Sprouts	,,	,,	(Frozen Foods) (No. 2) Order 1983	138 of 1983
(xi) Margarine and Cooking Fats	,,	,,	(Margarine and Cooking Fats) (No. 4) Order 1983	333 of 1983
(xii) Petroleum Products	,,	,,	(Petroleum Products) (No. 6) Order 1983	255 of 1983
(xiii) Bottled Gas	,,	,,	(Bottled Gas) (No. 4) Order 1983	294 of 1983
(xiv) Turf Briquettes	,,	,,	(Turf Briquettes) Order 1983	111 of 1983
(xv) Pre-packaged Coal	,,	,,	(Pre-packaged Coal) Order 1983	110 of 1983
(xvi) Cigarettes	,,	,,	(Cigarettes) (No. 4) Order 1983	299 of 1983
(xvii) Chickens	,,	,,	(Chickens) Order 1983	321 of 1983

Mr. Flynn

I am grateful to the Minister for telling us where notice of these maximum pricing orders may be obtained. At the same time, the number and the details of the maximum pricing orders made by him and his Department are not available to the general public. I do not regard a small notice on the back page of a Saturday newspaper as a satisfactory means of informing the public. The Minister might have special notices printed showing all the maximum pricing orders and displayed in post offices and social welfare offices. Would he agree that this would be desirable?

Mr. Cluskey

I have never been conscious of the public not being fully aware of any increases I have announced in the recent past. I will take the Deputy's suggestion under consideration.

Mr. Flynn

These announcements usually state that the Department are announcing the increases. It is rarely that the Minister is involved. What was the total number? Was it 20 or 24?

Mr. Cluskey

As I said, the full list will be circulated.

Mr. Flynn

A magazine called Inform prints these maximum retail pricing orders and charges a little fee. I do not think it should be necessary for the general public to have to purchase a document such as this to be made aware of maximum pricing orders on some 20 to 24 items. Because of the fluctuations in prices in various retail outlets, the Minister should consider taking steps to have printed for distribution a document such as the one to which I referred.

Mr. Cluskey

The document to which the Deputy referred is intended for the trade. A number of inspectors visit premises and a number of prosecutions have been taken over some considerable time for over-charging. There is policing of the pricing mechanism.