‘Ireland will have one of the strongest and most modern consumer law in the world’ – Minister Martin

Responding to Fine Gael’s suggestions for new consumer legislation Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin said the Government approved the new Consumer Protection Bill just last week.

“This Bill signifies the biggest reform of the area in 30 years and will help to ensure that Ireland will have one of the strongest and most modern consumer protections in the world. It will protect consumer rights in all services not just professional services. The new Bill, called the Consumer Protection (National Consumer Agency) Bill, will include bans and tough sanctions for 31 anti-consumer activities including pyramid selling, prize draw scams and persistent cold-calling of consumers. I trust we can rely on Fine Gael’s support when the bill is debated in early February.

The Government are not only strengthening Consumer Law but have doubled the funding to the powerful Consumer Agency. “The Consumer Agency will have the resources to contribute to all issues of real concern to consumers. It will be empowered to work closely with regulators in the energy, telecommunications and aviations sectors. I am confident that the Agency will offer an informed consumer perspective on availability, price and choice of all services”, Minister Martin said.

ENDS

ETE 1691

18^th January 2007