Deirdre Clune
Ceist:86 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to introduce a freeze on the price of drink; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17144/01]
Written Answers. - Drink Prices.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:87 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a response to the public pleas she issued on 15 May 2001 calling on publicans to voluntary freeze prices, at least up to the end of 2001; if, in the absence of such agreements, she intends to introduce a maximum prices order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17221/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
To date, I have no plans to introduce a freeze on the price of drink. The Deputies may be interested to know that judicial review proceedings are commencing in the High Court in relation to the Order freezing the price of drink, which I made last year and which expired on 14 of January 2001.
The Deputies may be aware that I recently called on publicans to voluntarily freeze drink prices until at least the end of the year. Both the representative organisations for the licensed trade, the Licenced Vintners Association and Vintners Federation of Ireland, have indicated to me that they support my call and I would urge consumers to be vigilant in that regard.