Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2007
119 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government that steps would be taken to ensure that consumer codes of conduct are published by businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25389/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Consumer Protection Act 2007 gives the National Consumer Agency specific functions to publish guidelines applicable to traders in relation to matters of consumer welfare and practice and also to review and approve codes of practice submitted to it by businesses or their trade associations.
In this regard, I am advised that the Agency has already had some preliminary engagement with a number of businesses and representative bodies in relation to possible codes of practice. I am further advised that one particular trade association has submitted a draft code of practice to the Agency for consideration and that discussions to advance the draft code are progressing.
The Agency is keen to establish a strong relationship with business in order to encourage traders to develop a high standard of consumer protection and to promote voluntary compliance by business with consumer legislation. In this regard, I understand that when exercising its statutory function in relation to reviewing codes of practice submitted by businesses, the Agency intends that the approved codes would be published.
