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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drink Prices.

Liam Fitzgerald

Ceist:

194 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of public servants he will utilise in policing the pubs of Ireland to ensure that the price of a pint is pegged at November 1996 levels, and that the price which is alleged by the publicans as being the price of a applied at this time and that the price is not increased at any stage in the future without a ministerial order; and if he will increase the number of licences available so that market forces are allowed to operate. [8638/97]

I can assure the Deputy that the inspectorate of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs has been deployed to ensure full compliance by publicans with the terms of the Retail Prices (Intoxicating Liquor) Order, 1997.

The effect of this order made by the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology, which entered into force on 11 March and applies to all areas of the country except the county borough of Dublin, the county of South Dublin, the administrative county of Fingal and the administrative county of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown, is to stipulate that the prices charged for intoxicating liquors indicated in any particular part of a licensed premises shall be the prices obtaining and displayed on 4 November 1996.

The Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology has no plans to revoke the order.

The inspectorate are also inspecting licensed premises in the Dublin area to establish whether the recent undertaking, given to the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology by the Licensed Vintners' Association that their members would restore drink prices to their November 1996 levels, is being honoured.

Finally, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a related question (Volume 474 No. 6, Column 1236) on 11 February 1997. The independent Competition Authority has initiated a study under section 11 of the Competition Acts of the Irish drinks market. The terms of reference set by the Authority for their study are "to undertake a study and analysis of the liquor licensing laws and other barriers to entry and their impact on competition in the retail drinks markets in the State". The Authority will therefore focus particularly on barriers to market entry and the impact of the licensing laws. Responsibility for any changes in this regard would ultimately be for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

195 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason that he has not taken action to curb the exorbitant retail costs of soft drinks in this country; if his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties being created by the high pricing of soft drinks for young people in particular; the date on which action will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8639/97]

As the Deputy is aware maximum prices were never prescribed by order for soft drinks even during the years of detailed price control, which extended from 1965 to 1986 and often coincided with periods of double digit inflation. Unlike alcoholic drinks, soft drinks are offered for sale in a diversity of outlets and price saving sizes particularly in small shops, grocery multiples, supermarkets and off-licences. Thus, there is wide availability of choice for consumers to enable them to shop around and secure the best value.

The independent Competition Authority has initiated a study under section 11 of the Competition Acts of the Irish drinks market. The terms of reference set by the Authority for their study are "to undertake a study and analysis of the liquor licensing laws and other barriers to entry and their impact on competition in the retail drinks markets in the State".

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