Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

It is four years since the Taoiseach announced that the needs of consumers would be a high priority for the Government. Today a leaked report from the consumer strategy group confirms that Irish consumers are being ripped off and that Government policy is hopelessly inadequate for dealing with this issue. Will we see continuing prevarication from Government, with report after report on issues of consumer protection piling up, or will we see action from the Government? Will the Tánaiste accept the Fine Gael Private Members' legislation on a consumer enforcer, a key recommendation of the group, and implement it rather than delaying the House with lengthy redrafting? We should act on these issues instead of leaving consumers exposed to constant rip-offs.

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