Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 39:

In page 27, subsection (3)(a)(i), line 17, to delete "and".

This is designed to strengthen consumer representation. I ask that, in addition to the bodies that the Minister must consult - the advisory committee and the Legal Metrology Service - the National Consumer Council have a say. My concern about the Bill in general is that it is definitely pro-producer and ignores substantial benefits to consumers.

On the review group, I am disappointed that it appears the Competition Authority went with the majority. As a consumer, I felt very let down. Perhaps the chairman was too persuasive. It is useful in all regulation to have consumer representation. In that spirit, I hope the Minister of State accepts my amendment. I hope there are consumer representatives who speak up. The danger is regulatory capture whereby the producers take over entirely the regulation of the sector in their interest. Consumers are disparate and never spend very much of their income on any one commodity. Producers get all their income from the commodity and achieve regulatory capture, not only in Ireland but also in a large number of other jurisdictions. I do not know whether the National Consumer Agency would be able to resist that trend, but a consumer voice is very necessary in this area.