Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am trying to do both at the same time. I got that cold call. I thought it was a great offer but they did not tell me what was between the lines and that I would be charged €5.50 for one call to 11811. I am saying to consumers to be wary of such cold calls coming in and making the subscriber an offer to change electricity provider, telephone provide or buy this or that. There is something wrong. I will use this House, as long as I am a Member, to expose such matters.

I also appeal to RTE broadcasters to refrain from promoting shopping north of the Border. They should remember who is paying the licence fee. We south of the Border pay €160 per year for that honour. These great offers north of the Border are a myth in most cases but those going up there think otherwise. They should also check their insurance cover that they are insured to drive north of the Border because, whether we like it or not, they are leaving the State. I do not like it but they are technically, from an insurance point of view, leaving it.

These are the kinds of issues I will bring to the attention of consumers. The Consumer Association of Ireland and the National Consumer Agency should wake up. They are not doing the job they were set up to do. We have to do their job now in this House. I will continue to do so, now that Fine Gael has decided to drop the rip-off Ireland campaign.