Vol. 398 No. 10
27 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the findings of the director of Fair Trade following his investigation into the takeover of Master Meats by other interests in the meat trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received any response from the companies concerned to the orders he made on 11 April 1990 under the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies (Control) Acts, 1978 and 1987, regarding the proposed acquisition of Anglo-Irish Beef Processors of Master Meat Packers (Bandon) and DJS Meat Limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together. Since I made orders prohibiting, except on conditions, the proposed acquisitions to which Deputy Mac Giolla refers, I have received no further communication from the companies concerned. Both orders require that the respective take overs may proceed only if and when specified conditions have been fulfilled. They also require that the take overs shall be effected within 12 months of the making of the orders. Both orders have been presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas (PL 7225 and PL 7226).
Regarding the findings of the Fair Trade Commission, I would refer the Deputies to my reply to a previous question in this House on 22 March 1990 (No. 11, at Vol. 397, Cols. 968-971).
