asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he proposes to bring the Sale of Goods Act, 1893 up to date; and, if not, why.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Protection.
16.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider the introduction of a Deceptive Trade Practices Bill.
18.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any proposals to introduce a Consumers' Protection Bill.
19.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation whereby a court will be entitled to modify the terms of a credit contract which it considers to be harsh and unconscionable in operation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19 together.
The legislation to which the questions refer is generally designed to protect the consumer.
As I have already indicated in replies to previous questions on similar lines, changes in legislation will be necessary, but as the National Prices Commission are, at my request, examining in depth the whole field of consumer protection, I consider it desirable to have their report before deciding on the necessary legislation. I am expecting their report in the New Year.
Will the report be made available to Members of the House?
I expect that the report will go to the Minister first and it will be up to him to decide.
In other words, it is not the intention at this time that Members of the House will see the full report and form their own judgment?
I am not aware whether or not it is.
20.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce regulations to protect consumers against "doorstep" sales.
I have had no complaints regarding "door-step" sales, but the necessity for regulating the practice will be considered in the context of consumer protection generally.
21.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will establish a consumer protection authority; and, if not, why.
22.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will establish a consumer complaints board at local and national level.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
As Deputies are aware, the National Prices Commission have been asked to study and report on the whole field of consumer protection. In addition I have set up a National Consumers Advisory Council to advise me on matters such as those referred to by the Deputy. Until I have received the advice of these two bodies I do not propose to set up any other consumer protection agencies such as those suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that local consumer complaints boards are available in other countries? Would he consider following suit here so that people would have a local source to go to if they had complaints?
I am sure the Minister will consider all these things when he gets the report. This is probably one of the things dealt with in the report.
23.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will establish a legal aid scheme specifically to deal with consumer complaints.
Free legal aid is considered appropriate in certain types of criminal case but there is not the same justification for giving it to consumers who wish to make complaints.
Nevertheless, in preparing further consumer protection legislation I will consider what advice and help I can provide for consumers who have legitimate complaints to make.
Litigation is very expensive now and would the Minister not consider that this would be a way of ensuring that every individual would be a watchdog on behalf of the consumer and could take traders who were carrying out illegal practices to court if necessary with the assistance of the State?
That option is still open to people who have complaints.
What about the cost?
If they have legitimate complaints no doubt the courts will give them costs and they will not be out of pocket.
24.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of Ireland's entry to the EEC, he proposes to introduce a metric system whereby standard sizes of packaged foods will be understood by the purchaser.
The Merchandise Marks (Prepacked Goods) (Marking and Quantities) Order, 1973, which comes into force on the 1st February, 1974, requires that the indication of quantity for a wide range of prepacked foods must be marked in metric and must also show the equivalent in imperial units except for certain standard metric sizes prescribed in the order. The purchaser will therefore be able to assess quantity in familiar terms. In addition, attention is being given to metric education of the consumer by way of suitable publicity which will be stepped up as appropriate.
Is the Minister aware that most edible tinned foodstuffs are sold without any date mark on them and would he consider this question in the context of the matters he has mentioned?
This question relates to weights and not to dates. That is a separate matter. If the Deputy puts down a separate question no doubt the Minister will reply to it.
Will the Minister not agree that it is very important to ensure that the consumer gets fresh perishable foods?
Tinned foods are as fresh as they were at the time they were tinned, provided the tin is undamaged.
The Minister must be aware that that is a very old argument. It is completely outdated. Surely there should be a date on perishable tinned foods?
I will bring what the Deputy has said to the Minister's attention.
In view of the accepted importance of this matter why did the Minister for Industry and Commerce postpone implementing this order from last month until February of next year?
It needed amending and the Minister has made an amending order.
It did not need amending. He gave way to pressure groups.
25.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider granting subsidies to consumer associations.
This is one of the matters on which I propose to seek the advice of the National Consumers Advisory Council.