Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like you, Chairman, I worked in a retail business for 19 years, mainly in the travel industry. This is the quietest time of the year and in November and December we sold nothing but vouchers so I have a keen interest in selling vouchers. People used to return to us in January, February and March, our busiest time, to spend those vouchers. I thank Deputy Collins for bringing the Bill forward. As I indicated in my contribution on Second Stage, we will support it. It is important to regulate this area given how much money is spent on gift vouchers. It can be a source of great frustration when people can no longer spend the money on a card or are penalised by fees if they lost the card or it is missing. It is welcome that there is cross-party support for the Bill. The Social Democrats had previously brought forward a Bill on this topic and I understand the Government is to bring forward its own Bill. Would it not be a better use of our time if the Government worked with the Opposition on Bills when they are already in the legislative system instead of progressing those Bills, scrutinising them and then starting again with a new Government Bill? That is the case with this Bill and with my anti-ticket touting Bill. I make that observation because it appears that we could get things done more quickly if this was the case.

Regarding a matter I raised on Second Stage, I have been in contact with a business that wanted me to raise an issue that will arise for it due to changes in this area. This company sells vouchers for specific described events such as motorised racing experiences, hot air balloon trips and so forth. A monetary value is not specified for these vouchers, which is why they are often an attractive option for gifts. The company has highlighted the effect a five year timeframe could have on its business, as the cost of an event when the voucher is purchased could be very different from the cost five years later. Insurance and fuel costs are constantly jumping, always higher of course, and one can understand the company's concern about that. Will Deputy Collins and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, consider this when they are progressing their respective Bills to see if a solution can be found for this situation?

On another matter, has Deputy Collins examined where similar legislation has been introduced in Europe or elsewhere and has been successful? Again, I thank him for bringing the Bill forward as it is very important.