asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there are any requirements governing the discount claims as advertised by retailers during special offer sales; if he is satisfied that sufficient information is being provided to the consumer regarding the difference between the normal sales price and the special price offer during these periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Under the Consumer Information Act, 1978, it is an offence for a person offering goods for sale to give a false or misleading indication of, inter alia, the price at which the goods, or goods of the same description, were previously, offered for sale. The Act also provides that an indication of a previous price shall be taken to mean that the goods were offered openly in the same place for sale at that previous price for at least 28 successive days in the previous three months.

I am satisfied that these provisions provide a satisfactory level of protection for consumers. It is of course open to a consumer to bring any particular case to the attention of the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade who is empowered to prosecute offences under the 1978 Act.

May I ask the Minister if there are any provisions in the regulations which make it obligatory for retailers to specify quite categorically that the goods being offered during the special offer sales are the same goods which are normally on sale? Various allegations have been made that special quality goods are being put on display during sale time which are not genuine.

Under the Consumer Information Act, 1978, it is an offence to give a false or misleading indication of the price, the previous price or the recommended price of goods, services and facilities. A misleading indication of the price of goods and services may be anything which misleads a customer as to price. The Act states that anything likely to be taken as an indication of a previous price shall be treated as such an indication. The most obvious of such indications would be "was £10, now £5" or "usual price £20, sale price £15". However, it would also be likely to include "sale price £10" as this would imply a previous higher price.

Is the Minister satisfied——

A brief question, Deputy, please.

——that he has the necessary resources within his Department to monitor activities during sales and to make certain that the regulations are implemented?

I am quite satisfied that the resources available to the Department are adequate.

Question No. 25 please.

They can in Dublin but cannot outside.

Not true.