New initiative to improve and promote consumer rights in Ireland

Tánaiste announces new initiative to improve and promote consumer rights in Ireland

Strategy Group to advise on development of a National Consumer Policy

Link to interview with the Tánaiste

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, today (Wednesday 10 March 2003) announced the appointment of a new Strategy Group to advise on the development of a national consumer policy. The Tánaiste described the move as "a significant initiative designed to improve and promote consumer rights in Ireland".

Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said: "The time has come to put an end to horror stories of rip-off Ireland. That can only happen if consumers are given more power, more voice and more influence. This is about much more than simply encouraging consumers to shop around. Consumers must know their rights, know how to enforce them and have confidence in the system to back them up when their rights are denied. Consumers must be given the opportunity to influence law-making in Ireland and business must learn to value a satisfied customer as an important asset."

The Tánaiste continued: "These are all key objectives if we are to promote effective competition in consumer markets. The diverse and changing nature of the consumer agenda has meant that there is no really effective consumer lobby in Ireland. I want to see that situation change and want to encourage effective consumer participation in national debate on issues of importance to them. I intend to ensure that in the future greater attention is paid to consumer interests in the development of economic and social policy."

The Consumer Strategy Group will be chaired by Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. "This is a small group comprised of people with the interest and expertise to allow them contribute to the development of consumer policy. Our Terms of Reference will allow us to bring some radical thinking to bear on the process. The Tánaiste has asked us to report within nine months. I believe this is an ambitious but realistic timeframe given the importance and complexity of the task. I am looking forward to getting down to work," Ms Fitzgerald said.

[See full membership and Terms of Reference in Note for Editors attached].

"I believe that competition will only succeed with the full cooperation of consumers. Therefore, I want to encourage and see develop in Ireland a culture where consumers are confident and insistent in demanding value and quality at all times. Consumers should be able to easily understand their rights and have a simple and effective means of redress when they believe those right are denied," the Tánaiste concluded.

Notes for Editors

Members of Consumer Strategy Group

Terms of reference of the Consumer Strategy Group

The role of the CONSUMER STRATEGY GROUP (CSG) shall be to advise and make recommendations for the development of a national consumer policy strategy which will:

• provide consumers with the knowledge, information and confidence to be demanding of quality, service and value;
• ensure consumers are well informed of their rights and have effective and speedy means of redress in the event that those rights are denied;
• give consumers a powerful voice and effective representation and input in the development of policy proposals at national and local level;
• ensure the views of consumers are heard and taken into account in national debate on relevant business, trade and social policy issues;
• promote among product and service providers best practice in the delivery of quality customer service and value for money and an appreciation of the contribution satisfied consumers make to the growth and development of business.

In performance of this role, the CSG shall be entitled to:

• advise in regard to the impact on consumer interests of existing and proposed legislation and to make recommendations accordingly;
• examine best international practice in regard to the promotion and representation of consumer interests;
• initiate studies which demonstrate objectively whether or not Irish consumers are getting a fair deal;
• produce such interim reports to the Minister as it considers appropriate

The CSG shall produce a final report to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment within 9 months of its establishment.

ENDS/ETE 1199