Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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To go back to what Senator Crowe and others are saying, I see two distinct roles that the commission has. One is to prosecute offences and I understand how that requires time and diligence to assemble evidence and being careful not to foul a potential prosecution. However on the other hand, it also has a role of consumer protection and I do not see why it could not at a very early date give an indication of what is happening in the Irish market. What are the trends in pre-tax prices of fuel in Ireland compared with other EU countries? Is there evidence that in general, Ireland is being exposed to some gouging? Also, in my view Mr. Godfrey articulates some principles of good consumer codes of practice for suppliers in this period that do not represent new offences that they potentially can commit. However advice to both consumers and to suppliers as to what a consumer should expect as reasonable protection in this arena would be useful. Consumers would be reassured if the CCPC could offer some general assessment of what is happening in that marketplace, separate to the care that must be taken around prosecutions. That is what I suggest could be done. Some guidance about avoiding price gouging could be delivered because people will want to act responsibly if they get leadership from people like the witnesses.