Seán Ryan
Question:50 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, made in securing EU funding for the Consumers Association of Ireland. [15933/98]
Written Answers. - EU Funding.
I wrote to Commissioner Bonino, who has responsibility for consumer matters, in April requesting her support for the restoration of financial support to the Consumers Association of Ireland. I pointed out to Commissioner Bonino that the CAI is the only private sector organisation in Ireland wholly involved in consumer protection activities and that it plays an important role in the development and promotion of consumer policy in Ireland. I also reminded Commissioner Bonino that the Commission has, itself, acknowledged that Ireland is a priority country for assistance in the consumer affairs area.
I have not yet received a reply from Commissioner Bonino but, in the meantime, I have met representatives of the association to identify any means by which I might be able to assist them to cope with their present difficulties. Since I met them, my Department and the Director of Consumer Affairs have been in touch with the association to discuss the situation further.
I have assured the association that my Department would be pleased to work with it with a view to ensuring its current difficulties are not repeated in 1999 and I understand the Director of Consumer Affairs has given a similar assurance.