Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Director of Public Prosecutions has the power to appeal the leniency of a sentence and I hope that will occur. I join colleagues in calling for a debate on the issue.

I also wish to raise the issue of HMV and all that went on over the Christmas period and to express dismay at the fact that it sold vouchers the day before it knew it would be going into administration. It also raises the wider issue of the purchase of vouchers in the economy. As a nation we are purchasing Groupon and City Deals vouchers on an increasing level as shown by figures published today. We should have clear guidelines on this area. When consumers purchase vouchers they should be aware of the terms and conditions that apply to them to protect against them suffering a loss. It is difficult for businesses to function when they are being undercut in such a huge way by the operation of such vouchers. This is a matter we could usefully debate in a wider debate on consumer protection.