Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Consumer Protection.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

252 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review consumer legislation with a view to giving consumers greater protection under circumstances where an electrical appliance breaks down during the term of its parts guarantee and the maker will only honour this guarantee if the part is fitted by its own engineer and at exorbitant labour costs; if her attention has been drawn to the Office of Consumer Affairs' opinion that though this is a complaint frequently received by it, this practice seems lawful under current legislation; if she will undertake to amend legislation to make such contracts unlawful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20191/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 contains specific provisions relating to guarantees given by manufacturers or other suppliers in connection with the supply of goods. These provisions do not prohibit the inclusion of terms in guarantees under which the servicing or repair of a product is required to be carried out by the manufacturer or a person authorised by the manufacturer. The provisions concerned also do not regulate the level of labour costs which may be incurred in this connection. While I am not aware that there are widespread difficulties arising from these aspects of the operation of these provisions, I have asked my Department to include the matter in ongoing work relating to the review of consumer legislation generally.

Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 238.