asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recent sales of imported chipboard are at prices between 19 per cent and 30 per cent dearer than prices charged for chipboard manufactured at Scarriff, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Chipboard Imports.
334.
Under the Prices and Charges (Notification of Increases) Order, 1979, importers with a turnover in excess of £250,000 per annum are required to make application only where they propose to increase their cash margins. I am advised by the National Prices Commission that they have not recently had any notification for an increase in margin from any importer of chipboard. Comparative prices for domestic production and imports, taking account of quality and grade, will, of course, be carefully borne in mind by the IDA in their analysis of the prospects for this industry.
335.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware that recent imports of chipboard into Ireland are of inferior quality; and the steps he intends to take to protect the interests of the consumer who has to purchase articles in which this poor quality product is used.
I am not aware that recent imports of chipboard into Ireland are of inferior quality. I would point out that legislation already exists which protects the interests of consumers who purchase unsatisfactory goods. The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, provides that in general there is an implied condition in every contract of sale that goods are of merchantable quality i.e. that they are fit for the purpose for which goods of that kind are commonly bought and as durable as it would be reasonable to expect having regard to the price (if relevant) and any description applied to them. If the goods are not of a quality that could reasonably be expected, the consumer may seek redress from the seller.