Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

Amendment No. 28 states:

In page 10, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following:

"(2) Where a premium rate service provider contravenes subsection (1), the Commission shall establish a speedy mechanism to ensure redress for the consumer.".

This is also consumer-oriented to ensure the consumer has access to the most speedy resolution and adequate redress regarding any complaint. The amendment seeks to address the fact the Bill seems to be primarily focused on the courts, with no simple remedy for the consumer who has been charged inappropriately. The amendment proposes a mechanism other than the courts for redress - that may be a bigger problem and the courts might be the first port of call. We have advocated the use of the small claims court to resolve various other disputes. It can be hard to get access to the courts because of long waiting lists. It can be time consuming and costly. The thrust of the amendment is to try to facilitate that aspect.

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