Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cost of Soft Drinks.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

56 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the genuine concern by members of the general public at the high cost of soft drinks sold in public houses; the measures, if any, he will introduce in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9970/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

While I share the Deputy's concern at the high cost of soft drinks sold in public houses I would like to point out that the retail price of soft drinks was not the subject of price control even when the National Prices Commission was in operation.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Retail Prices (Beverages in Licensed Premises) Display Order, 1976, requires all vendors of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks for consumption on their premises to display prominently within their premises the retail prices charged for the principal drinks. This legislation is rigorously enforced by the Director of Consumer Affairs, sometimes resulting in prosecution for non-compliance.

My primary concern is to ensure that competition works effectively in the provision of goods and services on the Irish market and that competition is fair and resounds to the benefit of consumers by providing greater choice, improved quality and lower prices in particular. In this connection, I should say that I am not satisfied that existing competition law is operating to the best effect. In my view, it is not geared to tackling anti-competitive activity, because of the lack of public enforcement and inadequate penalties for breaches of the law. I would add that, in line with the Policy Agreement for Government, I propose to strengthen competition law, through the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, by giving the Competition Authority powers of enforcement and by enabling the courts to impose stiff fines on those found to be engaging in unfair competition. I intend to seek to have the Bill, which has completed Committee Stage in the Dáil, enacted at an early date.