Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They can buy them. They are supposed to ensure the money is spent in a given town. Many are for one year only. The business model is based on the voucher expiring after one year. I will revisit it. It is very useful that the Senator raised the issue. I will follow up on it. I cannot give an answer. They are very successful for towns so we have to find a way to make sure it works well because it is great to see that people can get those vouchers and spend them in their local towns. They have been really successful in many towns right across the country.

The issue of the public consultation was raised and 23 signed responses were received from consumers. I will refer to the main points made in the responses. Of the respondents, 14 were supportive of a five-year limit or ban on expiry dates or fees. One respondent thought a five-year period was too long and favoured a two-year period. Six respondents stated the fees that currently apply to multi-retailer gift vouchers are reasonable given the advantages and extra protections offered by the products. One respondent raised the question of restrictions on the use of gift vouchers and two respondents gave views on matters not covered by the consultation. There were 20 responses received from businesses that issue gift vouchers or provide technical processing or other services to businesses issuing gift vouchers. A further six submissions were received from business representative bodies. Submissions were also received from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Consumers Association of Ireland and Deputy Niall Collins.

The majority of business respondents favoured the exclusion of electronic money gift cards from the scope of the proposed legislation. A number of respondents were opposed to a provision empowering the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to set fees for gift vouchers. Two of the main business representative bodies, Retail Ireland and Chambers Ireland, stated they would not oppose a five-year minimum term for gift vouchers while a third body, Retail Excellence favoured a three-year minimum term for non-electronic money vouchers. A number of respondents, principally the suppliers of shopping centre gift cards, whose revenues derive mainly from balances on gift vouchers unredeemed within 12 months from their issue date opposed the proposed five-year minimum term for gift vouchers. It is a real bugbear for consumers when they have a voucher that is slightly past the year expiry date and they discover it is worth nothing. It is incumbent on us to protect those consumers.

With regard to public awareness, the CCPC website has excellent information. If consumers want to find out about gift vouchers, there is a lot of information there. Senator Buttimer raised the issue of high street retailers and the difficulties they face throughout the country. It is something we are all very conscious of.They can avail of online vouchers at their local enterprise office. I suggest that they do so and get online as well. Through Enterprise Ireland, I launched a fund last year to support businesses in developing a better online presence. It was a deeper support to help them trade online. That is something we have to continue to support.

I thank the Senators who contributed to the useful and informative debate on this Bill. As indicated earlier, I look forward to working with the House on Committee and Report Stages, including in respect of any amendments that may be tabled. This is an issue which has been discussed for many years. With the support of the House, I would like to have the legislation enacted as quickly as possible for the benefit of consumers.