asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when it is intended to commence the full dissemination, at least once a week, to radio, television and newspapers of comparative prices of the most frequently purchased consumer goods in supermarkets and other retail outlets in different parts of the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Goods.
30.
The dissemination of information on comparative prices of the most frequently purchased consumer goods was raised by the Minister at his meeting with the National Prices Commission on 27th July, 1977. The commission are at present considering the matter and I expect a report on the subject from them in the near future.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there was no reference in the original public assurance given by the Minister to the fact that such dissemination would take place, and that he did not intend to refer the matter to the National Prices Commission as he now apparently has done?
I am not so aware. He has now referred it to the National Prices Commission and, as I indicated in reply to another question, they are due to report within the next two weeks.
May I refer the Parliamentary Secretary to the specific statement in the Fianna Fáil manifesto which made no reference to the Prices Commission? They have now sent it off to this body who, according to the Minister, Deputy O'Malley, were incapable of proper investigations of applications.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if any estimate has been made in her Department of the likely cost of advertising these prices in the various media which would be incurred by her Department in the implementation of this proposal?
It would be very expensive if the prices were to be published as paid advertisements. However, if they were issued as a Press release it would be at the discretion of the editor of the newspaper to decide to publish or not. A Press release to RTE would be up against the same problem. In the Department we are aware that the reaction of RTE to the proposal would be favourable were it to be found favourable by the National Prices Commission.
31.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when he proposes to establish a system of informal consumer tribunals to deal with consumer complaints.
Proposals for informal consumer tribunals can best be considered in the context of the recommendations made in Chapter IV of the National Consumer Advisory Council Report of December, 1974 for consumer arbitration and consumer complaints boards. As the Deputy is aware, two Bills giving effect respectively to certain recommendations in Chapters I and II of the report have been in the House, and in one of them provision is made for the office of Director of Consumer Affairs. Both because I would first wish to see exactly what powers and functions will be given to the director by the Consumer Information Bill in its final form, and because the office resources at my disposal would not permit of my advancing the two Bills as rapidly as I would wish if I were simultaneously to attempt to deal with a further chapter of the report, I must defer for some time yet decisions in relation to Chapter IV and the related question of informal consumer tribunals.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Minister is in favour in principle of the setting up of such consumer tribunals? He gave categorical assurances that he would do so if appointed Minister. Now apparently it is not to be done.
I did not say that.
Is he in favour of them in principle?
The Deputy's question refers to the informal consumer tribunals to deal with consumer complaints. I assume the Deputy has in mind some kind of an honest broker body which would attempt to achieve voluntary settlements of disputes between consumers and traders but whose rulings would have no legal force whatever but merely such persuasive powers as the standing of the informal tribunal would give them. If such bodies were thought useful, and if the Department of Finance would provide the necessary money, it would be comparatively easy to set them up, no legislation being necessary. It would have to be shown first, however, that voluntary bodies with no power to find in law would be sufficiently effective to justify the expenditure of the time and money they could entail. Furthermore, presumably there would be no question of setting them up if statutorily constituted bodies with legal powers were to be established. It is necessary, therefore, to consider the NCAC proposals before thinking of setting up informal consumer tribunals.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the reply she has given is precisely the same reply as that given in this House two-and-a-half years ago? Notwithstanding that the Minister, Deputy O'Malley, said he would set up such bodies. I do not hold the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the Minister's absence.
If the answer is the same as the answer given two-and-a-half years ago, it is amazing that no action has been taken up to now.
It is amazing that it could still occur under the Fianna Fáil manifesto.
What ideas has the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister in regard to statutory bodies to deal with consumer protection?
That is a totally different question.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any proposals to incorporate provision in the Estimates for her Department for 1978 to allow this to be introduced?
I have many proposals in my Department for the Estimates for 1978. I am awaiting the response from the NCAC before deciding which proposals must be submitted.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary committed to dealing with this problem and setting up some form of bodies of a legal or statutory nature to cope with the problem of consumer complaints?
That is a separate question but I am totally committed to the advancement of consumer legislation at the earliest possible date. I would hope such legislation would commence next week and would follow through to be implemented by the middle of next year certainly.
Question No. 32 is postponed.
On a point of order, could I inquire in regard to the question which you have been kind enough to postpone, a Cheann Comhairle, whether if I had not postponed this question, and if the Minister had been here, the question would have been answered in any event by his Parliamentary Secretary?
No, that is not so. I am answering because the Minister is away on official business.
I am only inquiring whether through postponing it I will ensure that the Minister will reply to it eventually.
If the Minister is here when the question comes up he will be answering it.
It will be his question rather than the Parliamentary Secretary's question?
Yes.