Jim O'Keeffe
Question:102 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to ensure there will be no profiteering on the euro changeover. [14183/01]
Written Answers. - Euro Changeover.
I am sure that the Deputy – and, everybody in the House – will want to join me in the desire to ensure that introduction of the single currency will be a positive experience for consumers, associated not with exploitation but, rather, with excitement at reaching the final stage of this momentous project for Europe, when citizens across the eurozone will have euro notes and coins in their pockets.
We know that businesses are gearing themselves for the euro, but they need to prepare their customers as well. I would strongly urge them to subscribe to either the national code or to approved sectoral codes on dual display of prices. Subscribers will be entitled to display the special logo, which means they are committed to carrying out the changeover fairly without seeking any advantage from the conversion. This is an unambiguous, public undertaking not to engage in profiteering. Accordingly, consumers should feel confident that they will not be overcharged for goods or services where they see the logo on display.
The national code is one of the key actions in the Action Plan, 2000 – 2001, aimed at protecting consumers as far as possible against unwarranted price rises during the changeover to the euro. The action plan, which I launched last December, is being implemented primarily by the Director of Consumer Affairs. It contains 17 specific actions in all, which are grounded in a strategy for increasing consumer confidence and empowerment. It may be of interest to know that the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs can be contacted about euro-specific concerns at odcaeuroinfo@entemp.ie.
I have every expectation that consumer vigilance – backed up by initiatives such as the action plan and the various, on-going informational activities by the ECBI, Forfás, ODCA and ECC – will be instrumental in ensuring that consumers benefit from the introduction of the euro in notes and coins at the beginning of 2002, which should result in greater price transparency, further stimulating competition and increasing consumer choice.