Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2005
78 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new national consumer agency recommended in the report of the consumer strategy group will be established; the way in which this will differ from the existing Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the consumer strategy group was published on 18 May 2005. The Government has accepted the core recommendation contained in the report and has given its approval, in principle, to the establishment of a new national consumer agency. The establishment of the new agency will require primary legislation. My Department has already commenced the necessary legislative and organisational work to ensure that the NCA is established as soon as possible. I expect to be in a position to publish the legislation establishing the NCA towards the latter half of next year and that the agency itself will be up and running in 2007. In the interim, I have appointed a board to the agency to act in an interim capacity until the NCA is established on a statutory basis. The interim board will fully participate in the preparations for the statutory NCA and will help to ensure that once established, the new agency will hit the ground running.
While the precise structure and remit of the new national consumer agency will be the subject of consultations and discussions, it is clear that the NCA will differ considerably from the existing office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. It is likely that the new NCA will have a board structure and be fully independent of my Department, not only in the operation of its statutory functions but more particularly in terms of responsibility for the management of its resources and budget. The NCA will build on the valuable enforcement work currently being carried out by the Director of Consumer Affairs but will have an expanded role and wider statutory functions in areas such as consumer advocacy, information and advice, research and education and awareness. I agree with the consumer strategy group that the NCA must have these additional functions if it is to be effective in advocating the consumer's case.
