Mr. Kieran Grace:

On experiential vouchers, views were given in the public consultation and are under consideration. Just because a gift voucher has a period of five years does not mean that everyone waits four years and 364 days to do something. Many people use them very quickly. The Senator is correct and we believe some of the problems that may arise in this regard may be overstated.

On the second issue, it is quite clear that the unfair commercial practices directive is a maximum harmonisation measure of the European Union. It was transposed into Irish law by the Consumer Protection Act, and section 55 set out the blacklist in that regard. Therefore, our view, which is backed by legal opinion, is that the Bill as drafted would conflict with that. The issue is not the five-year term, it is the manner in which the Consumer Protection Act is being amended. That is why, when the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced her Bill, it was in the context of the unfair contract terms Bill. It is the same end result; we are getting to the same station but we are taking a different train.