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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pyramid Schemes.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

73 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding her Department's consideration of legislative options or administrative steps which might be taken to deal with the problem of pyramid gifting schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20366/02]

I have had this matter considered by my Department. I am satisfied that the pyramid selling legislation is not an appropriate model for dealing with this issue, nor would it be effective. This is not a consumer issue. No goods change hands. Gifting schemes are, in effect, a form of gambling although the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is of the view that they do not come within the definitions contained in current legislation.

In the circumstances, the best remedy is common sense. It is clear that some participants in such schemes inevitably lose their money. People are entitled to use their money as they please but, given the publicity that has attached to this issue, they cannot be in any doubt about the risk they are taking if they participate in these schemes.

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