asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied that sufficient trade description legislation has been enacted for the protection of consumers; and, if not, if he has any proposals for further legislation.
155.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Protection Legislation.
154.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied that sufficient consumer protection legislation has been enacted; and, if not, if he has any proposals for further legislation in this regard.
156.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied that the present measures available for the protection of the consumer are adequate.
157.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in any proposed consumer legislation he will include such matters as advertising in relation to holiday travel, accommodation and package tours to ensure that no one will be deceived by misleading or dishonest advertising or, in the event of the liquidation of a tour company, that the holiday be guaranteed.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 157, inclusive, together.
I am not satisfied that our existing legislation on trade descriptions, consumer protection or misleading advertising is adequate in present conditions. The whole field of consumer protection is at present under examination by the National Consumer Advisory Council and I would prefer to await their report, which I expect to receive in the very near future, before making any proposals for further legislation.
Would I be correct in saying that the Minister gave a very similar answer to me roughly a year ago and that nothing has happened since?
I am in the position that, having appointed a National Consumer Advisory Council and having requested them to make a report, I can fairly say that I have urged them on a number of occasions as to the pressing nature of the matter which they are considering. I have made clear to them my desire that they should report to me promptly. Nonetheless these are private citizens and I must respect that there is a limit to the amount of time they have available for such work. While I regret that I have not yet received their report— because I feel that this is a very pressing matter and I would dearly wish to have legislation before the House at this moment—there is a limit to the amount of pressure I can put on them. Of course I must respect the fact that they are private people who cannot give all of their time to this matter. But I have conveyed my concern to them and, to the extent that these questions from two Deputies express a sense of urgency, I feel that sense of urgency, too. I think it proper that the matter was raised here.
Will the Minister accept that I raised this matter about November last year? Is he stating, in effect, that nothing has happened in the 12 months?
I must defend my National Consumer Advisory Council. I am sorry that I have not got their final report but I know that in the period of 12 months since their appointment they have been working very hard and I expect their report very soon. Therefore I cannot accept that nothing has been done.
Does the Minister indicate therefore that, with the setting up of all these commissions, he has no ideas of his own?