Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 8

Written Answers. - EC Consumer Policy Service.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

44 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has satisfied himself, (a) that the EC consumer policy service has been successful in implementing a range of projects in the three year action plan 1990-1992; and (b) that it has the necessary financial and administrative resources made available for full scale policy implementation of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

The Deputy will be aware that the EC Commission's three year action plan of consumer policy in the EC (1990-1992) was adopted at the Consumer Council which I chaired during our Presidency of the European Community.

I am satisfied that the EC Consumer Policy Service has made considerable progress in achieving its objectives.

On the question of resources, the Finance Council proposed in July 1991 to cut the EC Consumer Budget for 1992 from 10.8m to 4.3m ECU. This would have had serious implications for the implementation of the three year plan. I, together with the Minister for Finance, sought to have this cut rescinded and in November 1991 the amounts were more than fully restored to 19.2m ECU. This amendment will provide adequately for further progress in implementation of the objectives of the plan.