Vol. 497 No. 7
4 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures, if any, she has put in place to fulfil the State's obligations under the EU treaties in relation to consumer protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26233/98]
85 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures, if any, she has put in place, or will put in place, to fulfil the State's obligations under the various EU treaties with regard to consumer protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26219/98]
I propose to takes Questions Nos. 4 and 85 together.
The Deputy will recall that in my reply of 30 June 1998 to his question regarding a forum on the Amsterdam Treaty, I confirmed my intention to hold such a forum, which would debate how the enhanced protection in the Amsterdam Treaty could be translated into an action programme which will benefit European consumers. I am glad to report that the forum took place in October 1998 and was a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the development and enhancement of consumer protection. A report of the proceedings of the forum is currently being prepared by my Department.
As Minister with responsibility for consumer affairs, I am particularly interested in the enhanced commitment to consumer rights in Article 153 of the Amsterdam Treaty. The treaty strengthens the provisions in the Treaty of Maastricht, which set "a high level of consumer protection" as an EU goal. The new treaty specifically addresses protection and interests of consumers through the following commitments: protection of the health, safety and economic interests of consumers; promoting their right to information and education; and enshrining their right to representation.
While these advances are very significant in themselves, a more important breakthrough has occurred in that consumer protection requirements must now be taken into account in defining and implementing all other Community policies. This will include trade, agriculture, food, and commercial policy, each of which in turn impacts on the lives and well-being of consumers. This approach which, in effect, requires a consumer proofing of policies across a wide range of public policy, accords closely with my thinking, as Minister of State with responsibility for consumer affairs, on the way forward for consumer protection in Ireland.
Much has been achieved by successive Governments in the area of consumer protection over the past 25 years. A great deal of the activity has stemmed from our membership of the EU which has adopted a substantial body of consumer protection legislation, including directives on consumer credit, misleading advertising, product liability and food labelling.
We have participated actively in the work at EU level during that time. However, much remains to be done to ensure that consumer interests assume their proper place on the policy agenda and that our laws, structures and procedures are adequate to the task of defending and promoting the consumer across the full range of Government activity.
Over the next two years a number of directives will be implemented on subjects such as food labelling, the protection of consumers' interests abroad, unit pricing and distant selling of goods and services. Further proposals are in draft form, including an amendment to the product liability directive to include primary agricultural products, further food labelling proposals and a proposal on the distant selling of financial services.
Does the Minister of State agree that, whereas redress concerning health, safety and economic interests is important, these matters are quite useless if the consumer is not in possession of information and education? Would the Minister agree that it is important to have a truly financially independent body to supply information to consumers and to carry out research? This is not the case at present and the Minister of State has not given any financial help to the Consumers' Association of Ireland, which is the only organisation that has such a role. Can the Minister of State confirm my information that a half-hearted offer was made earlier in the year to give some help, but that strings were attached? Has the Minister of State any plans to redress this problem, which is like a car with three wheels?
The Deputy has quite rightly pointed out that I met the Consumers' Association of Ireland, at my request, earlier this year to see if I could assist it in any way. I would not describe my involvement with them as having strings attached. I simply outlined what stage we were at in the particular year and what was available through working with the European Commission. I subsequently wrote to Commissioner Bonino and raised the question of support for the CAI.
As the Deputy knows, I have already answered parliamentary questions on this matter. I am anxious to see consumer organisations being strengthened and the voice of the consumer being assisted at that level.
Commissioner Bonino addressed the forum on consumer issues in Dublin, which I initiated. The voice of the consumer was one of the most important issues raised at that forum. I agree with the Deputy that the position of consumers should be strengthened. As Minister of State with responsibility for consumer affairs, my position would be strengthened if a strong voice was raised on behalf of consumers concerning the many issues I have mentioned. I can assure the Deputy that whatever support mechanisms exist, particularly in working with the European Commission, will receive my backing. The question of support for consumer organisations is likely to be a feature of the Commission's next three year action plan.
I am interested in the Minister of State's action plan. What does he plan to do in the next couple of months? We have had replies to parliamentary questions over the past 12 months, yet nothing has happened concerning consumer associations, which are not being supported by the Government. They are in financial straits, but is the Minister of State aware of the danger? Does he recall that he told me in reply to a parliamentary question that the Consumers' Association of Ireland has staff shortages? What will the Minister of State do in the short-term so that it can survive?
We do not want any of the Minister of State's lofty plans.
Much of the responsibility will lie with the organisation itself, which has come forward with certain proposals. The Deputy is right in saying that it is my responsibility to try to find appropriate funding at EU level. We have ensured a budget for five years, which has been agreed at 12.5 million ECU. I met with the Consumers' Association of Ireland and I am anxious to meet with its members again whenever they wish to meet me. I am anxious to support the association, but it must put its plans together as an independent organisation. We have a newly appointed Director of Consumer Affairs also.
Many changes are taking place in this area and there is a large agenda for us to pursue. This includes the question of the euro and a national code of practice on dual pricing. Within Government I have also put forward a proposal to ensure that the new national agreement will have particular reference to a consumers' chapter. There are many new proposals.
Nothing is happening.
The time for Priority Questions has now expired. I am now calling Question No. 5.
On a point of order, only four questions have been taken, so there is room for some latitude.
That is the order. We must proceed to Question No. 5. There is a strict order concerning this Priority Question.
