asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the regulations to give effect to the EC directive on misleading advertising will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Directive on Misleading Advertising.
Under this Directive, member states are required to establish procedures for dealing with misleading advertising, and the Directive sets down the form these procedures should take.
The current provisions in Irish law, as contained in the Consumer Information Act, 1978, are regarded as satisfying the Directive's requirements in most respects. There are, however, a number of respects in which our present arrangements may not satisfy the Directive. These are at present under examination by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
When we have established what measures are necessary, and this should be done very shortly, I will introduce such Regulations as are necessary without delay. I should say, however, that it is unlikely that implementation of the Directive will change to any significant extent the present protection given to the Irish consumer in this area.