I, as Minister of State with responsibility for consumer affairs, am taking a particular interest in ensuring that consumers' rights are protected in the changeover to the euro. In addition to the national awareness compaign organised by the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland, ECB, established by the Minister for Finance to supervise all aspects of the changeover to the euro, of particular interest to consumers will be the question of the dual display of prices.
I agree with the approach suggested earlier this year by the European Commission and supported by the Director of Consumer Affairs, that voluntary codes of practice are the appropriate way to deal with this issue. Work on the development of the codes of practice is progressing in consultation with the director and any assistance the director may require in ensuring their successful operation is being discussed in this context.