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Consumer Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Questions (145)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

145. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the merger of the Competition Authority with the National Consumer Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9237/13]

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Written answers

Work on drafting the Consumer and Competition Bill is on-going and the Bill is included in the “A list” in the Government’s current Legislative Programme.

In addition to merging the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, the Bill will, inter alia, update and reform competition law on foot of a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002, give effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers and introduce enabling provisions for a code of practice for the grocery goods sector.

The merger of the two bodies is aimed at ensuring improved co-ordination of the two policy areas. Enforcing both competition and consumer laws will give the newly merged body synergies and efficiencies in carrying out its functions. This will have benefits for consumers due to the existence of a stronger and more co-ordinated body dealing with consumer and competition issues.

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