Deirdre Clune
Question:145 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps the Government proposes to take to protect consumers from hidden price rises consequent on the euro changeover. [23290/01]
Written Answers. - Euro Changeover.
The most effective way of ensuring that the euro does not lead to an increase in prices is to empower consumers to monitor prices. To do this, consumers need to be able to compare prices between Irish pounds and euros through exposure to dual pricing. That is the objective of the national code of practice on dual display of prices, which was drawn up in conjunction with the Director of Consumer Affairs.
By the commencement date on 1 October last, large numbers of organisations had already signed up to the national code or to sectoral codes which have been approved under it by the Director of Consumer Affairs. This shows that businesses generally are anxious to carry out the changeover fairly and to be seen to do so – they want to retain their customers' confidence now, throughout the changeover, and long after it is over. It is vital that consumers realise the power that they have in this area: the ultimate sanction for any trader who seeks to take advantage of the changeover is loss of business.
Should it happen that consumers think they are not being treated fairly, and do not get satisfaction when they make a complaint, they will be entitled to take the matter up with the Director of Consumer Affairs. The director will publicly name and shame any trader who displays the logo associated with adherence to the national code or to the approved sectoral codes, but fails to live up to the commitments involved. A concrete example of the power of negative publicity was provided last month when, as a result of a consumer outcry and concerns expressed by myself and the director, a certain company cancelled its plans to replace its one-pint carton of milk with a half-litre carton. I had been in direct contact with the company following its original announcement, and I subsequently welcomed the company's decision to honour its commitments in relation to the euro.
Speaking for both the Director of Consumer Affairs and for myself, our priority is to ensure that the action taken on dual display of prices, as well as the informational activities under way and envisaged by the director, will maximise the likelihood that the changeover to the euro will prove a positive experience overall for the country and its citizens.