The Irish Government has announced a new statutory agency will be responsible for promoting and protecting consumer interests in Ireland.
The establishment of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) was announced in May 2005 by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. The announcement was made following a 12-month pricing study into various utility sectors by a Consumer Strategy Group. As part of this study the Consumer Strategy Group called for the establishment of a new consumer protection body in Ireland and the government agreed with this recommendation.
An interim board of the NCA has already commenced operations. It will be the role of this board to be an advocate for consumer issues.
The establishment of the NCA will bring the interests of consumers to the forefront of national and local decision making in Ireland. The NCA will be forging strong partnerships with government, regulators, business, consumer organisations and unions in an attempt to change the culture in Ireland in regard to consumer rights.
NCA functions will include advocacy, research, information, enforcement, education and awareness. The board of the NCA includes various representatives including John Fingleton, Chairman, Irish Competition Authority and Carmel Foley, Director of Consumer Affairs. The powers and functions of Consumer Affairs will initially work alongside the NCA, however, it is expected that once the new agency is established by law, the statutory role of Consumer Affairs will be incorporated into the NCA.
Over the next few months the government will be considering a whole series of recommendations made by the Consumer Strategy Group and will be drafting a detailed implementation plan in order to reflect the modern Irish economy and, importantly, the needs of modern consumers.
