Vol. 404 No. 6
119 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has monitored the pricing practices by home heating distributors during the course of recent months; and whether he believes it is time for his Department to set out guidelines for companies in relation to pricing practices to cover such items as charging a different price on delivery from the price quoted when the delivery was ordered.
I have, over recent weeks, received a small number of complaints about the pricing practices of certain local distributors of heating oil. These were found on investigation to be of the type outlined by the Deputy in his question, and particularly appear to have arisen in circumstances where the delivery time was unusually protracted. Such questions, relating to contract, are matters of civil law and any disputes arising would fall to be resolved by the parties directly involved. Consumers at any time prior to the final acceptance of delivery are entitled to inquire as to the price to be charged and to refuse delivery if not satisfied. Having regard to the above, I see no reason to adopt the course suggested by the Deputy in relation to guidelines.
