andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendation of the Restrictive Practices Commission in relation to competition in the licensed drink trade.

The recommendations of the Restrictive Practices Commission in their report of their study of competition in the licensed drink trade, which have been published, are at present under examination. I will not be in a position to indicate what action will be taken in the matter until this examination, which involves other Departments as well as my own, is concluded.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication as to the likely termination of that consideration in view of the fact that the commission were clearly of the view that some of the difficulties in law adverted to in the report did lead to higher prices?

The commission's report was submitted to the Minister, as the Deputy is aware, in June, 1977. The full text was released on 27th July following its presentation to the Oireachtas. The recommendations are under active consideration in the Department and a submission seeking decisions on them is being prepared.