asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any new measures are planned to protect consumers in view of the apparently extensive nature of the recent bogus vodka operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Consumers.
18.
This matter came to notice in the course of investigations by officers of the Revenue Commissioners. It was subsequently investigated by environmental health officers attached to the health boards from the point of view of protecting the health of consumers. I believe that the critical factors arising in this case are being properly addressed in these investigations.
Will the Minister agree that the initial direction of inquiry by the customs officials related to smuggled alcohol and that by accident the whole question of manufactured illegally distilled alcohol using this chemical compound was uncovered? Will the Minister advise the House as to how many more outlets have been uncovered since the investigations occurred and since it was reported to this House in November last year that 40 such outlets were uncovered?
I hope the Deputy understands that the Revenue Commissioners are part of another Department. I am not privy to the information as to what they uncovered or how many more outlets may have been uncovered by the Revenue Commissioners and the Customs and Excise in this regard. I think he will appreciate that this information can only be got from the Minister for Finance.
I am sure the Minister must have summoned up all the available information from whatever Department. Indeed it was promised in November by the Minister and his Department that steps would be taken to ensure that this problem would be brought to an end without further delay. The Minister cannot hide behind the Department. He has prime responsibility and I am sure he has summoned up this information. Can the Minister tell us what other outlets have been uncovered or what other detections have been achieved since November in view of the undertaking given then by him that there would be the widest possible investigation of this matter?
The Deputy is seeking to extend the subject matter of this question.
I again remind the Deputy that the involvement of the Department of Industry and Commerce in this matter relates solely to the misdescription of the product in question and that while it constitutes an offence it is part of the investigations that took place. The only information available to me today is that the Customs and Excise are finalising their investigations in this regard. As I have already said, any further information should be sought in a separate question to the Minister for Finance.
Question No. 19.
Let me ask one final brief question.
It must be brief, Deputy.
In view of the Minister's review of the factors from a consumer's point of view does he intend to update consumer legislation or regulations in order to make this matter more watertight? That was the specific purpose of my question.
As I have already said, the legislation is in place and the Revenue Commissioners are now preparing prosecutions in this regard. I have the powers I need under the misdiscription and labelling regulations to take action.
Is the Minister satisfied that the matter has been taken in hand?
Question No. 19 in the name of Deputy Mervyn Taylor, please.
Can the Minister advise the House——
Order, please. The Deputy may not circumvent my ruling.
Is there likely to be a recurrence of this type of incident?
The Deputy should resume his seat. Question No. 19.
This is an important matter and it should be——
I have given the Deputy quite an amount of latitude on the subject.