Vol. 410 No. 6
20 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has satisfied himself that prices to the consumer are reduced in line with the fall in the prices of agricultural produce; and if not, the step he intends to take to remedy the situation.
As I have indicated in this House on a number of occasions, and as the Deputy will be well aware, the Government, in 1986, decided to disband the National Prices Commission and to allow detailed price control measures generally to lapse, being superseded by strengthened competition legislation. Consequently I do not have official information generally on prices.
The policy emphasis of this Government is to further strengthen Irish competition legislation. In line with clear commitments in the agreed Programme for Government and the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, a new Competition Bill was introduced and has just passed all Stages in this House. The Bill, now with the Seanad, will prohibit any abuses of a dominant position in the market and anti-competitive agreements or practices. The best assurance of fair pricing for consumers is provided by a competitive market.
