Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

It is clear from the answer I received from the Minister for Finance that the payment services directive will allow member states to ban surcharges provided doing so does not distort competition — it would not — or benefit inefficient means of payment, such as cash payment. It is clear the directive will empower the Government to ban credit and debit card surcharges. Will the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirm this with the Minister for Finance? Will she make a commitment to introducing the necessary legislation to amend the Consumer Protection Act to allow the ban to be introduced once the directive comes into force in November 2009?

See this speech in context