asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he has taken to arrange for a Consumer Affairs Council to be held during Ireland's Presidency of the EC; the agenda of the meeting of the council; the priorities which Ireland will be outlining to the European Parliament and the European Commission in relation to consumer affairs in the Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Consumer Representation.
70.
I announced, on 17 October 1989, that I intended to hold a meeting of the Council of Ministers to deal with consumer matters during Ireland's Presidency of the EC. At this stage an agenda for the meeting has not been set. In any event the Deputy will appreciate that the agenda for any meeting of the Council is confidential.
At the recent Consumer Council Meeting on 9 November a resolution for relaunching EC consumer policy was adopted. The principal priorities comprehended by the resolution, and which will be pursued during Ireland's Presidency, are an assessment of the impact of the Single Market for the consumer, the improvement of consumer representation at Community level and the promotion of safe products and services.