asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism whether he has satisfied himself with the existing mechanisms for handling small consumer complaints regarding unsatisfactory products and services in cases where there is no indication of a false or misleading description; and if he will introduce new provisions to reform the situation.
Written Answers. - Consumer Complaints.
457.
The statutory rights of consumers under contracts for the supply of goods or services are set out in the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, and in the earlier Act of 1893. A basic feature is that a consumer is entitled to goods of merchantable quality and this extends to goods supplied in the course of a contract for services. These are matter of civil law and it is up to the consumer in each case to pursue his rights under the legislation as appropriate. The Director of Consumer Affairs has no legal function in this area, nor has my Department. I am of course concerned that consumers should be able to get satisfaction in regard to unsatisfactory products or services and to this end, that systems of redress for consumers should be as effective as possible.
As a result of the work of the Director of Consumer Affairs consumers are now more informed about their rights and equally there is a much greater willingness on the part of manufacturers and retailers to entertain legitimate complaints. The position is, however, far from perfect. I believe existing systems of redress are capable of improvement whether through the introduction of codes of practice or otherwise and this is something that is being pursued, as resources allow, by the Director of Consumer Affairs. I have also taken this matter up with the Minister for Justice.