asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement in relation to the inability of the consumer affairs office to deal with complaints from outside Dublin because of financial and staffing constraints.
35.
Written Answers. - Consumer Affairs Office Resources.
33.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade has stated in correspondence to public representatives that they are unable to follow up complaints because of limitations on resources and travel restrictions; and if he is satisfied that this is a reasonable situation in view of Ireland's obligation to maintain and enforce both domestic and EC law within its boundaries.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 35 together.
The Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade is independent in the performance of his functions and in the utilisation of financial resources available to him for travel and other non-staff expenditures. In order to remain within his travel budget for 1989, the Director, on his own responsibility, decided that from 1 June onwards complaints received outside of Dublin would be pursued through correspondence rather than direct visits from inspectors. I am pleased to say that additional resources have now been made available to the Director which will enable the inspectors to travel outside Dublin to investigate complaints.