Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 1

Written Answers. - Oil Company's Promotional Schemes.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

158 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he has sought advice from the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade regarding the proposal of an oil company to reintroduce forecourt promotional schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

159 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if in order to prevent distortions in the market he has issued any regulations determining the circumstances in which trading stamp schemes can be operated; whether such schemes have to be reported to the competition authority for approval before their introduction; and if he will give the Government's policy on this matter.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

I have not sought advice from the Director of Consumer Affairs in relation to an oil company's interest in participating in a national promotional scheme. I am, however, aware that in his submission to the Fair Trade Commission's Report on the Supply and Distribution of Motor Fuels, the director of Consumer Affairs indicated that he received no complaints from consumers that such schemes were putting up prices. The Consumers Association of Ireland were not opposed to the principle of gift schemes, considering that consumers should be free to choose gifts if they wished.

I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to a Dáil question on this subject on 18 May, 1993 which remains valid.

General trading stamp schemes are regulated by the Trading Stamps Act, 1980 (as amended). Under this Act the intending promoter of a trading stamp scheme must lodge the scheme catalogue with the Minister for approval prior to the introduction of the scheme. As the Act is primarily a consumer protection measure, the Director of Consumer Affairs is responsible for its enforcement. Promotional schemes where the tokens, stamps, etc. are redeemable only from the seller of the goods covered by the scheme, or his supplier, are excluded from the scope of the Act.

It is a matter for the parties involved as to whether such schemes should be notified for the purpose of seeking a licence or certificate under the Competition Act.