Vol. 461 No. 1
232 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that the price reductions in goods and services imported from the United Kingdom arising from the differential between the Irish punt and British sterling are passed on to Irish consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/96]
Official control on the prices of goods and charges for services was discontinued in 1986, with the disbandment of the National Prices Commission. In the meantime, the policy of successive Governments has been to promote free and fair competition with the aim of creating greater price competition and wider consumer choice. Consumer welfare is also, of course, furthered by the consumer shopping around.
I would expect that competitive forces would act to ensure that consumers here would benefit from any price reductions by UK suppliers, consequent on the recent appreciation of the punt vis-á-vis sterling. In addition, the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, which has now completed Committee Stage, provides for the public enforcement of the Competition Act, 1991 including the sections dealing with anti-competitive agreements, decisions and concerted practices. It is my intention to enact the Bill at an early date. I would also refer the Deputy to my reply of 15 March 1995 at columns 1465-1467 of the Official Report. In addition, in respect of magazines I have asked the Director of Consumer Affairs if in his view it is necessary to carry out a survey to establish the extent to which price reductions resulting from the appreciation of the punt have passed on to consumers.
