Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

As I advised the House in my reply to Question No. 205 of 28 September, the consumer strategy group's report, Make Consumers Count, was published on 18 May 2005. The Government has already approved the report's core recommendation that a new statutory body, the national consumer agency, be established to advocate on behalf of consumers. Given that this will require primary legislation, a board has been appointed to act in an interim capacity until the new agency is established on a statutory footing. The Deputy will be aware that since its appointment the interim board has been active in terms of articulating the consumer's case on issues such as the groceries order. In addition to being a forceful advocate on behalf of the consumer, the interim board, as part of its terms of reference, will have a key role in preparing the way for the fully operational agency itself.

The other significant recommendation in the consumer strategy group report related to the abolition of the groceries order. The Deputy will be aware that following the publication of the report my Department embarked upon a public consultation process on the future of the order. In excess of 550 submissions were received in the course of the consultation process.

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