Vol. 516 No. 6
173 Mr. Dennehy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will consider bringing forward legislation to restrict the ability of companies to charge flat rate fees on payment by credit card as these flat rate fees place a disproportionate burden on customers in low monetary value transactions. [9168/00]
Whereas I have no plans to introduce legislation to restrict the ability of companies to charge flat rate fees on payment by credit cards, I understand that the Director of Consumer Affairs plans to undertake in 2000 a comprehensive survey of the credit card market in Ireland, i.e. the number and type of cards in operation, charges and interest rates attaching to various cards, etc. I have asked the director to take account of the issue raised by the Deputy in the survey.
Under the Consumer Information (Advertisements for Concert or Theatre Performances) Order, 1997, the consumer must be informed of the admission charge and, separately, of any additional charge and the circumstances in which any additional charges are payable for a public concert or a theatre performance. I will consider whether the order should be extended to cover other services following the completion of the Director of Consumer Affair's survey.
