asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if consumer protection legislation in Ireland has kept pace with consumer protection measures in other EEC states and if any review of our legislative position has taken place in the light of the second Community Consumer Programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Protection.
6.
It is not possible to make precise comparisions of the state of consumer protection legislation as between this country and other member states of the EEC. However, I am satisfied that taking into account existing legislative measures already before the House and other measures proposed, our position in general as regards consumer protection legislation compares favourably with that of most other member states.
As to the second consumer programme of the European Community, the Deputy will be aware that this programme is at present under discussion by a working group under the Council of Ministers. The opinions of the European Parliament and of the Economic and Social Committee are awaited and are necessary prerequisites to the adoption by the Council of Ministers of the draft resolution concerning the programme. The proposals in the programme do not, however, point to the need for any legislative measures on our part additional to those already before the House or under consideration.
I do not understand how we can compare favourably in our legislation with other countries if it is not possible to assess how far we kept pace. Is the Minister satisfied with the lack of redress for the consumer where goods are defective? Surely that is one of the omissions in our legislation?
Hopefully, with the co-operation of the Deputy's party, and the other, major Opposition party, the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Bill, 1978, will pass through this House and the Seanad before Christmas. I am sure the Deputy will agree that that legislation will provide redress.
It is long overdue. That was introduced when I was in office but it still has not become law under the Minister's tutelage.
We are trying to get it through now and, with the co-operation of the Opposition, we will succeed.
The Government have not done anything about it.
The Government are over the hump in their term of office.
I am sure the Minister will agree that that legislation represents an instalment on the way to giving the consumer adequate protection. Does the Minister agree that in these days of mounting inflation it is extremely important that we should keep pace with the most advanced legislation in other member states? We should not wait for directives from the EEC which are the minimum required in this area; we should move ahead where possible.
Where possible we are moving ahead.
Is there any intention to implement the recommendation made by the National Consumer Advisory Council in relation to consumer credit?
Yes, and the delay in consumer credit occurred because we were awaiting a directive from Brussels but, as the Deputy is aware, the talks on that were very prolonged. It was for that reason that we decided to go ahead on our own and amend, if necessary, when the directive arrives.
When can we expect this legislation to be introduced?
A draft of the Bill is being examined and it will be introduced probably before the next session, but definitely before next summer.