Vol. 495 No. 7
148 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures she will put in place to ensure that consumers are not exploited during the change over to the euro; the progress, if any, she has made in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21979/98]
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions No. 117 and 118 on 6 October 1998 signifying that the Director of Consumer Affairs had discussions with representatives of the financial services industry regarding their changeover plans for the euro, in the course of which he advised that it would be a matter for any credit institutions proposing to increase existing charges and/or to impose new charges on customers with the introduction of the euro to formally notify him of their proposals in accordance with the requirements of section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995. I am informed that a number of such notifications have been made and some directions issued by the outgoing director prior to his departure. It is a matter for the incoming director to consider outstanding proposals having regard to the provisions of the 1995 Act. As regards the development of requirements on dual display of prices, work is progressing in my Department in consultation with the director, in addition to the national awareness campaign organised by the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland established by the Minister for Finance.
