Vol. 536 No. 2
140 Mr. Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to activities involving bogus traders purporting to carry out house repairs who obtain money by false pretences; if she has satisfied herself that existing laws are sufficient to discourage this practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13559/01]
My Department does not have responsibility for the matters referred to by the Deputy. However, my Department has made informal contact about the Deputy's question with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as a result of which I would offer the following two comments:
First, although the incidents mentioned by the Deputy are by their nature civil matters, I have no doubt that the local gardaí would be interested in being informed.
Second, common sense would suggest that consumers be advised always to check out the credentials of traders beforehand. On the face of it, they would appear to be entitled to make claims for bad workmanship – up to a monetary limit of £1,000 – under the small claims procedure, which is a special mechanism within the District Court structure designed to bring about a satisfactory settlement of such claims speedily, inexpensively and informally.
