John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I second the motion. The consumer strategy group is very important and I commend the Minister on his work in this regard. This agency ensures that, for the first time, the interests of consumers will be brought to the forefront of national and local decision-making in Ireland. The Minister announced that the board of the consumer strategy agency would be established immediately on an interim basis, until the necessary legislation could be enacted to establish it on a statutory footing. The interim board is chaired by Ann Fitzgerald, CEO of the Irish Association of Investment Managers, who also chairs the consumer strategy group. Membership also included the existing Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, whose powers and functions are to be incorporated into the new agency. Paying tribute to the contributions of successive directors of consumer affairs, the Minister stated:

It is critical that, in moving towards the expanded remit envisaged by the NCA, we build on the valuable work done by the Office of Consumer Affairs. Carmel Foley will bring valuable expertise to bear on the work of the interim board. Her office was established in 1978 and was designed to suit the economic circumstances of the day. It is right that that model be modernised to reflect our modern economy and to meet the needs of modern consumers.

I reiterate and support the words of the Minister. Other members of the interim board who were announced subsequent to the launch of the consumer strategy group will add significantly to the work done. The Minister stated that he was "determined that the new agency will act as a forceful advocate for the consumer and that it will have the necessary powers, functions and support to challenge vested interests and to ensure that the consumer's voice is heard". In acknowledging that legislation to formally establish the new agency could not be produced overnight the Minister stated it is important that the momentum on the consumer strategy group be maintained and he expects the interim board to immediately begin planning for the final structure and operations of the new consumer agency.

The Minister expects that the interim board would carry out some initial work in the area of consumer awareness, advocacy and education which would help to demonstrate to consumers that real change is under way. We should also applaud the strategy group for the comprehensive nature of its report. The report contains over 30 separate recommendations and clearly demonstrates the extent to which the consumers' interests are entwined with every facet of economic, political and social life. The extent of the consumer strategy group recommendations required a co-ordinated response and the Minister established a high level interdepartmental committee to examine all the group's recommendations.

On the groceries order, the Minister said "the consumer strategy group has recommended that the order be revoked in its entirety. However, the report acknowledges that there are strong arguments to be made on either side of the debate". I have given an opinion on the groceries order, namely, that if there is any change it should assist the lower paid. In other words, it should apply to foods that are in every basket. Naturally this will assist those who earn €100,000 per year as well as those on the minimum wage. The same is true of social welfare payments, which assist those who need them, even if there is also abuse of the system. Any changes in the groceries order should specifically include food items from which the less well-off can benefit. If supermarkets wish to use these as loss leaders, so be it. If we must make changes it must be with the purpose of assisting the less well-off.

I commend the Minister on his work in this regard and his continuing efforts on behalf of the consumer.