Mary Harney
Ceist:2 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach the level of increase in the national average retail price of a pint of stout in the past five years. [6204/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Stout Prices.
The national average retail price of a pint of stout is available from the compilation of the Consumer Price Index. The annual percentage change in the national average price for the years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was as follows:
|
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5.3 |
4.9 |
4.6 |
2.5 |
2.3 |
Will the Minister of State indicate how much above the rate of inflation was the increase?
It was, by and large, in line with inflation rates over that period. In regard to pricing policy, no blame attaches to the Governments of that period, with the exception of the one in 1994, because the following are the increases on the price of a pint of stout in the past six budgets: 1992 — no change; 1993 — no change; 1994 — an increase of 3p, inclusive of VAT; 1995 — no change; 1996 — no change; and 1997 — no change.
From my calculation, the increase is 19.6 per cent, almost double the increase in inflation for that period. Is that not the case?
No blame attaches to the Governments of that time, with the exception of the one in 1994. As the Deputy is aware, this is an area of particular interest to everybody.
It is no interest to me.
Deputy O'Donnell should try it some time, it would calm her down.
The pint of plain has a symbolic place in Irish life. The Taoiseach has taken an interest in the recent attempt by Dublin publicans to increase the price of the pint.
I thought it was the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.
The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Rabbitte, met the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners' Association to ensure they were fully aware of the Government's wish in this regard.
The Minister of State flexed his muscles.
The Taoiseach and the Minister of State have taken a hands-on approach in the matter.
Does the Minister of State have anyone to police the publicans?
An exhortation to publicans in Limerick to reduce the price of the pint to its 4 November level went unheeded. As a result, the Government moved incisively, thanks to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and put in place a price fixing order.
Can he enforce it?
The Government regards the price of a pint of plain as a key priority.
We will congratulate the Minister of State when the first prosecution is taken.
Let us be careful not to enter too much into the area of policy. This question is purely statistical.
Will price fixing orders be retained in this area or does the Minister of State favour competition?
We are very definitely entering into the area of policy. The question is purely statistical.
Obviously, self-regulation is the way to proceed to ensure that the common good is the priority. If regulation is required, however, it will be provided. That is what happened last week when the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, took action because the Limerick publicans ignored the warning issued to them.
They are quaking in their boots.
It is in everybody's interest to pitch the price as reasonably as possible within the grasp of the common man.
Will the Minister of State agree that publicans in rural Ireland had nothing to do with this price fixing? They have behaved very well considering there are more pubs in these areas and a smaller population. They give better value and are ambassadors for the State. Will the Minister of State indicate that no blame is attached to publicans in rural Ireland?
Deputy Ring will have to put down a separate question on that matter.
Deputy Ring should declare his interest.
I compliment the publicans in rural Ireland for the work they have done.
What is the difference in the increase, in terms of inflation, between Dublin and the rest of the country?
The figures I have are from the consumer price index. I will give the Deputy the figures on an annual basis to show how the price of the pint has fluctuated. I will then answer the question in relation to Dublin versus the rest of the country. In November 1991 a pint of Guinness cost £1.60
Where was that?
In November 1993, the price was £1.77; in November 1995 it was £1.90 and in November 1996 the price was £1.96. Those are average figures but I take on board Deputy Ring's point that the pub has a special role in rural Ireland. It is a social centre, a meeting place and a venue for various activities, including clinics for Deputy Molloy, Deputy Ring and me. There is something essentially wrong when 50 pubs in a community of 1,500 people can sell a pint 20p to 30p cheaper than pubs in the cities. This is something on which the Government will be keeping a keen eye and for which past Governments have had a total disregard.
I am delighted my question raised so much interest. It was transferred from the Minister for Energy, Transport and Employment. Is the Minister aware that the price of a pint in the Dáil bar is £2.20? As £1.96 is the average price of a pint, what will the Minister do to reduce the price of a pint in the Dáil bar?
I am delighted Deputy Harney put on the record the fact that we get no special concessions here——
And that women drink pints.
——that she has disabused the general public of the notion that we get duty free, VAT free concessions and that the prices applying here are the same as those in the establishment across the road. It is something the Deputy might usefully refer to a Member of the committee of the House that monitors the operation of its bars and restaurants.
I thought Deputy Rabbitte did all that. Perhaps we could give Deputy Ring the job.