Vol. 249 No. 5
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether complaints have been received concerning the highly pressurised door-to-door sales practices of a firm (details supplied) or of similar practices by other firms; and if he proposes to take action in the matter.
18.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, having regard to the growing volume of highly pressurised door-to-door sales campaigns which frequently involve persons in money obligations which they cannot afford, he will introduce legislation to entitle persons signing contracts at their own doors to rescind such contracts within a period of four days of signing; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I have no complaints about the firm mentioned nor of any other instances of door-to-door selling. If the Deputy will furnish particulars of any recent instances I will have them looked into.
The Minister has not answered the question. He took Nos. 17 and 18 together. He was specifically asked if he would introduce legislation entitling persons who signed such door-to-door contracts to rescind these contracts within a period of four days of signing. Would he please answer that question?
Question No. 18 is consequential on Question No. 17. I took the two together. I was first asked if I had any information as to complaints about door-to-door sales practices and I have said that no complaints have been made in this regard and therefore the question of what I might do, arising from such complaints as are mentioned in Question No. 18, does not arise when I have not had a volume of complaints.
May I put it to the Minister that if he has to receive a massive volume of complaints before he contemplates socially desirable legislation this is known as non-government by political hindsight? We are putting it to the Minister that it is socially necessary that in the case of sales contracts, where people are forced and pressurised on doorsteps——
This seems to be a speech.
We are putting it to the Minister that he should consider such legislation.
If I get complaints, I will.
Only if the Minister gets complaints?
Legislation becomes socially desirable only arising from positive indication of nuisance created by such sales campaigns.
Question No. 19.
I am keeping in close touch with the position of these collieries——
Typical Fianna Fáil attitude.
A Cheann Comhairle, you called Question No. 19 and in trying to obey the Chair, I am being accused of arrogance.
Question No. 19.
