Vol. 495 No. 7
75 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support, if any, the Government provides to the Consumers Association of Ireland; the plans, if any, the Government has to provide additional support in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21645/98]
151 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support, if any, the Government provides to the Consumers Association of Ireland; the plans she has to provide additional support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21984/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 151 together.
I am happy to note that the Council of the Consumers' Association of Ireland Limited in its recent annual report and accounts considers the state of the company's affairs to be satisfactory. I further note that the council proposes a strategic review of revenues in order to prevent deficits in future. Earlier this year, I met the CAI to identify any means by which I might be able to assist them to cope with difficulties following the ceasing of financial supports by the European Commision. I assured the association that my Department would be pleased to work with them with a view to ensuring that their current difficulties are not repeated in 1999 and I understand that the Director of Consumer Affairs gave a similar assurance. I also wrote to Commissioner Bonino, who has responsibility for consumer matters, requesting her support for the restoration of financial support to the Consumers Association of Ireland. She recently indicated that she would be prepared to re-examine the situation if her directorate's budgetary situation so allowed and if no alternative solution could be found for funding the CAI this year. Since my meeting with the CAI and correspondence with the European Commission, my Department and the Director of Consumer Affairs have been in touch with the association with a view to further assisting as possible.
