Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to the House for the first time since he assumed his role.

Marie Sherlock (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 1:

1. In page 31, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: "Rights in relation to diagnosis, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment

26. (1) In relation to digital electronic equipment sold in the State, a manufacturer shall make available, for the purposes of diagnosis, maintenance or repair of the equipment—

(a) to independent repair providers, and

(b) to owners of the equipment,

in a timely manner and on fair and reasonable terms, relevant documents, parts and tools, including any updates to information or embedded software.

(2) Where a manufacturer has made an express warranty with respect to digital electronic equipment and the wholesale price of the equipment is €100 or more, the manufacturer shall provide such parts, tools, and documents as to enable the repair of the equipment during the warranty period at an equitable price, with due regard to—

(a) the actual cost to the manufacturer of preparing and distributing the parts, tools or documents, exclusive of any research and development costs incurred,

(b) the ability of owners and independent repair providers to afford the parts, tools or documents, and

(c) the means by which the parts, tools or documents are distributed.

(3) In relation to equipment with an electronic security lock or other security-related function, the manufacturer shall make available to the owner and to independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms and through secure data release systems where appropriate, any special documents, tools or parts needed to disable the lock or function, and to reset it, for the purposes of diagnosis, maintenance or repair of the equipment.

(4) Both an owner and an independent repair provider may maintain an action against a manufacturer who contravenes subsection(1), (2)or (3), and the court may order the manufacturer to take such action as may be necessary to observe the requirements of the subsection concerned, or to pay damages.

(5) (a) Nothing in this section requires a manufacturer to disclose a trade secret, save as and to the extent necessary to provide documents, parts and tools on fair and reasonable terms.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), nothing in this section alters the terms of any agreement between a manufacturer and an authorised repair provider.

(c) A provision of an agreement referred to in paragraph (b), or any other agreement, is void insofar as it purports to waive, avoid, restrict or limit a manufacturer's obligations under this section.

(6) In this section—

"authorised repair provider", in relation to a manufacturer, means a person who is not a connected person and who has an agreement with the manufacturer—

(a) pursuant to a license to use a trade name, service mark or other proprietary identifier, to offer the services of diagnosis, maintenance or repair of digital electronic equipment under the name of the manufacturer, or

(b) otherwise to provide such services on behalf of the manufacturer, provided that a manufacturer who offers the services of diagnosis, maintenance or repair of digital electronic equipment manufactured by it or on its behalf, and who does not have an agreement with a connected person for the provision of such services, is an authorised repair provider with respect to that equipment;

"connected person" has the meaning assigned to it by section 10 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997;

"digital electronic equipment"—

(a) subject to paragraph (b), means any product that depends for its functioning, in whole or in part, on digital electronics embedded in or attached to the product,

(b) does not include—

(i) mechanically propelled vehicles designed and constructed to be suitable for use on roads, or

(ii) medical devices within the meaning of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013;

"document" includes any manual, diagram, reporting output, service code description, schematic, or other guidance or other information used in effecting the services of diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of digital electronic equipment;

"embedded software" means any programmable instructions provided on firmware delivered with digital electronic equipment, or with a part for such equipment, for the purposes of operating the equipment, including all relevant patches and fixes made by the manufacturer of such equipment or part for this purpose;

"firmware" means a software program or set of instructions programmed on digital electronic equipment, or on a part for such equipment, to allow the equipment or part to communicate within itself or with other computer hardware;“independent repair provider” means a person who—

(a) in relation to a manufacturer and any authorised repair provider of the manufacturer, is not a connected person, and

(b) is engaged in the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of digital electronic equipment,

provided that a manufacturer or an authorised provider of a manufacturer is, when engaged in the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of digital equipment that is not manufactured by or sold under the name of the manufacturer, an independent repair provider;

"manufacturer" means a person engaged in the business of selling, leasing, or otherwise supplying new digital electronic equipment, or parts of such equipment, that has been made by or on behalf of the manufacturer;

"owner" means a person who owns or leases digital electronic equipment;

"part" means any replacement part, whether new or used, made available by a manufacturer for purposes of maintenance or repair of digital electronic equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, sold or otherwise supplied by the manufacturer;

"tools" includes any software program, hardware implement or other apparatus used for diagnosis, maintenance or repair of digital electronic equipment, including software or other mechanisms that provision, program or pair a new part, calibrate functionality or perform any other function required to bring the equipment back to fully functional condition.

(7) A reference in this section to making a document or thing available on fair and reasonable terms, means making the document or thing available on terms, that are equivalent to the most favourable terms, under which a manufacturer makes the document or thing available to an authorised repair provider—

(a) regard being had to any discount, rebate, convenient means of delivery, means of enabling fully restored and updated functionality, rights of use, or other incentive or preference the manufacturer offers to an authorised repair provider, or any additional cost, burden or impediment the manufacturer imposes on an independent repair provider, and

(b) not conditioned on or imposing a substantial obligation or restriction that is not reasonably necessary for enabling the owner or independent repair provider to engage in the diagnosis, maintenance or repair of digital electronic equipment made by or on behalf of the manufacturer.".

I am conscious that this amendment was put down in the Dáil by my Labour Party colleagues. There was a different Minister of State responding at that time. We are hoping the new Minister of State will be more open to our proposal.

At the heart of this amendment is the need for a right to repair. We are trying to deal in this provision with planned obsolescence, which is part and parcel of the business model entailed in the sale of many of the devices and electronic goods we have in our lives nowadays. The amendment is an attempt to deal with that planned obsolescence and fight back against it. It is in keeping with the spirit of the circular economy and the need to reduce waste. While many of these products are a great addition to our lives, what happens to them when they become obsolete within a very short period, usually two to five years? They end up in our civic amenity and recycling centres. This is a practical amendment designed to ensure that where electronic goods are worth €100 or more, provisions are in place to require manufacturers to facilitate the repair of those goods.

We are conscious that there are all sorts of patent and commercial sensitivity concerns that arise. We have tried to provide for those concerns in the amendment by making available to both owners and independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, provision for secure data release systems by way of tools and other mechanisms to facilitate repair. We understand companies have a job to do in manufacturing goods. We also passionately believe there should be an onus on those manufacturers to ensure their business model of planned obsolescence is challenged, particularly in the spirit of the circular economy, legislation on which passed through the Houses last summer. We need to see a right to repair inserted into the Bill. I hope the Minister of State will look favourably on the amendment.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Acting Chairperson for his good wishes and Senator Sherlock for her amendment on behalf of the Labour Party group. As I mentioned last week on Second Stage, the European Commission's working party on consumer protection and information is currently examining a proposal to improve the participation of consumers in the circular economy by providing better information on the durability and repairability of certain types of products. Importantly, in the context of this amendment, the EU initiative also seeks to protect consumers against unfair commercial practices that prevent sustainable purchases, such as planned obsolescence, as referred to by the Senator. Once the member state negotiations are complete, the proposal will almost certainly be harmonised and will, quite probably, apply to all goods, potentially including motor vehicles, not just the electronic equipment she is referring to specifically in this amendment. It would, therefore, be prudent to wait for the outcome of the negotiations on this matter before looking at any domestic measures.

In addition, I am concerned that there is a risk that this amendment would conflict with the maximum harmonisation nature of the sale of goods directive, given its provisions include obligations relating to the supply of updates to embedded software and the amendment's definition of "tools" includes the software required to bring digital electronic equipment back to full functioning.

We also have concerns about the language of the amendment. First, there are problems with certain concepts and terms contained in it, including "digital electronic equipment", "embedded software", "firmware" and "manufacturer". These terms differ from closely related concepts and terms used in Part 2 of the Bill, in which there is reference to "goods with digital elements", "trader", "hardware" and "software". I am concerned that this lack of consistency in terminology between the amendment and the existing provisions would result in consumer confusion and legal uncertainty.

Second, the relationship between the proposed obligation on traders to provide consumers with tools and parts and the primary obligation on traders to bring non-conforming goods into conformity through repair or replacement, as highlighted in the amendment, needs further clarification.The references in the amendment to "tools" and "parts" ignore the fact that repairs to digital electronic equipment now predominantly involve consumers installing updates or electronic fixes provided online by the trader rather than any more active intervention by the consumer.

Section 18 already imposes an obligation the trader to ensure that consumers are informed of, and supplied with, the necessary updates in order to ensure that goods with digital elements remain in conformity with the contract for an appropriate period. Bearing in mind the overall work that is under way in Europe and the amendments mentioned, I cannot accept this amendment.

Marie Sherlock (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. He articulated technical concerns about the wording of our amendment. We are very happy to work with him to improve or fix that wording. The spirit of the amendment is the crucial aspect. I hear what the Minister of State is saying about the EU initiative taking place and the potential for a strong, comprehensive set of harmonisation regulations to be issued. However, that is going to take time. There is a fundamental question to be asked here. Why can the State not take the lead on this? We are talking about just one element of what will be a bigger part coming out of those EU proposals. It is disappointing that we are taking the attitude of sitting back and waiting, given that it might take a number of years before those regulations are in place in this country, as opposed to moving ahead now. We would be very happy to work with the Minister of State on the wording and take the lead from his legal advisers, but I would like to hear from him on the spirit of the amendment.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Senator that we are not sitting back and waiting. We are very actively involved in the process at EU level. It would be silly for us to proceed on our own and isolate ourselves from this process by bringing in legislation. I do not think it will take that long. Things are certainly moving a lot quicker in this space, Commission-wise, than even I was aware of before taking up my role. That is the predominant thing. I certainly welcome the spirit of the amendment. Even if we were to address these issues, however, I still want to give the EU process space. I assure the Senator that we are actively involved in that space. I am more than happy to come back to the House at any stage early in the new year to update it on that process.

Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 2:

In page 83, line 6, after “manner” to insert “in the Irish language or in both the Irish language and the English language”.

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit-----

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I hope the thunder is not an omen.

Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail)
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I would sit down now if I were you.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Thunder and lightning, it is no lark. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil an seal agam na leasuithe seo a phlé leis an Aire Stáit. Tá díomá orm nach raibh an seans againn bualadh le chéile roimhe seo chun na leasuithe a phlé, go háirithe mar gur iarr sé orainn é sin a dhéanamh. Chuir muid comhfhreagras isteach chuig oifig an Aire Stáit ag lorg cruinnithe chun na leasuithe seo a phlé roimh an gCéim seo, mar a bhí molta aige. Seo an áit ina bhfuilimid faoi láthair agus tá súil agam go mbeimid in ann idirghníomhaíocht dhearfach a bheith againn maidir leis na leasuithe.

Labhróidh mé faoi na leasuithe ina iomláine, Uimh. 2 go Uimh. 5. An méid atá i gceist leo ná, ar dtús báire, go gciallóidh eolas curtha ar fáil "in a comprehensible manner", de réir an Bhille seo, go mbeidh an t-eolas sin i nGaeilge nó sa dá theanga. Chomh maith leis sin, bheadh pacáistiú ar tháirgí sna siopaí i nGaeilge nó sa dá theanga, leis an nGaeilge chun cinn. Táimid ag lorg eisceachtaí le haghaidh iompórtálaithe speisialta nó táirgí tástála agus áitiúla, de réir múnla Cheanada. Ba chóir go mbeadh comharthaíocht i siopaí agus gnóthaí dhátheangach, leis an nGaeilge chun cinn. Táimid ag lorg eisceachtaí le haghaidh comharthaí sealadacha i dteanga iasachta nó rud a léiríonn ainm nó branda. De réir leasú Uimh. 5, bheadh rogha Gaeilge cinntithe ar innill fhéinfhreastail, meaisíní ticéid, ATManna, féinfreastalaithe i siopaí agus mar sin de, agus ligfeadh siad do dhaoine ainmneacha Gaelacha le síntí fada a úsáid.

Déanann na leasuithe iarracht teacht timpeall ar locht mór a bhain le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, sé sin, nár ligeadh d'aon phlé ar ról na Gaeilge sa ghnó nó cearta tomhaltóra an phobail Gaeilge. Rinne mo chomhghleacaí an Teachta Ó Snodaigh iarracht leasuithe ina leith sin a bhrú ach diúltaíodh leo. Anois agus reachtaíocht faoi chearta an tomhaltóra á plé, níl aon leithscéal gan na nithe seo a phlé i gceart agus dul chun cinn suntasach a lorg do phobal na teanga agus do stádas na príomhtheanga oifigiúla. Is mór an trua go bhfuil polasaí Béarla amháin á bhrú i saol an ghnó ó thús. Teip iomlán ar an sprioc bhunreachtúil gur Stát dátheangach a bheadh againn nach bhfuil ach Béarla le feiceáil ar bheagnach gach táirge sna siopaí, i gcomparáid le tíortha dátheangacha eile ar nós Ceanada, An Bheilg, Tír na mBascach agus araile. Mar a dúirt mé ar an gCéim dheireanach, tréaslaím leis an bhfeachtas ag Cian Ward agus Conradh na Gaeilge do phacáistiú dátheangach, ach go háirithe mar go bhfuil sé seo curtha i mbéal an phobail acu. Tá súil agam go dtacóidh na Seanadóirí sin a léirigh tacaíocht do Chian leis na leasuithe atá molta agamsa anseo inniu.

Le leasú Uimh. 1, táimid ag lorg aitheantais nach bhfuil eolas ar fáil "in a comprehensible manner" muna bhfuil sé comprehensible sa dá theanga oifigiúil.Más i mBéarla amháin atá an t-eolas, níl sé intuigthe don Ghaeilgeoir, seachas má iompaíonn siad ar an Bhéarla. Mar sin tá Béarla brúite ar dhaoine ar mhian leo maireachtáil trí Ghaeilge agus léirítear go soiléir gurb é an Bhéarla an teanga oifigiúil sa Stát seo. Tá a fhios againn ón mbrú atá ann sa Ghaeltacht, áit nach bhfuil ach 23% de theaghlaigh ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge anois agus ina bhfuil líon na gcaointeoir laethúil ag titim, an tionchar a bhíonn ag brú leanúnach an Bhéarla. Tá sé mar dhualgas againn é sin a stopadh.

I leasú Uimh. 3 táimid ag cur plean i bhfeidhm chun pacáiste dhátheangach a thabhairt isteach. Sa tríú leasú táimid ag déanamh an rud céanna do chomharthaíocht eolais i siopaí agus i ngnóthaí, ó bhialainne, go gruagairí.

I leasú Uimh. 4 táimid ag cinntiú rogha Gaeilge ar innill féinfhreastail. Cuimsíonn sé seo: meaisíní ticéid don traein nó san aerfort; meaisíní féinfhreastail i Tesco nó McDonalds, mar shampla; agus uathmheaisíní bainc, ATMs. Ní hamháin go mbeadh rogha Gaeilge cinntithe orthu ach bheadh gá dóibh ligean do dhaoine le hainmneacha Gaelacha an t-ainm sin a chur isteach agus a úsáid i gceart le síntí fada. Tá a fhios againn an fhadhb leanúnach atá ag cur isteach ar dhaoine ag taistil le hAer Lingus, ag úsáid cártaí bainc nó le pasanna ar a bhfuil an síneadh fada ann ach nach réitíonn leis an ainm ar an inneall.

Mar a luaigh muid i gcomhfhreagras le hoifig an Aire Stáit, tá le feiceáil i leasuithe Uimh. 2, 3 agus 4 go bhfuil muid ag lorg run-in period chun gnóthaí a chur ar an eolas faoina gcuid dualgas agus chun deis a thabhairt dóibh ullmhú ar shlí nach ndéanfadh costas a chur orthu. Bheadh an tAire in ann a rogha dáta a roghnú idir chríoch 2023 agus tús 2026, ach ní roimh críoch 2023, mar tuigimid go bhfuil an spás sin ag teastáil ó ghnóthaí. Freisin ní bheadh feidhm ag na leasuithe seo ar tháirgí atá le díol, comharthaí curtha in airde nó innill féinfhreastail curtha in úsáid roimh an dáta atá le roghnú, rud a chiallaíonn nach mbeidh aon chostas breise i gceist chun rudaí a uasdátú chun cloí leis na leasuithe seo. Ní bhainfeadh siad ach le rudaí nua atá le huasdátú nó le hathchóiriú ar aon nós.

Thug mé faoi deara an méid a dúirt an tAire Stáit faoin bhuairt go mbeadh costais breise ar ghnóthaí. Níl anseo ach coinníollacha nua faoi eolas atá ag teastáil agus is minic a bhíonn ar ghnóthaí lipéid nua a dhearadh agus a chló nó comharthaí nua a chruthú chun cloí le coinníollacha nua rialacháin faoin eolas sin cheana féin. Le cúpla bliain chun ullmhú, ní chóir go ndéanfadh sé dochar airgeadais anuas ar na hathruithe a bheadh ag teastáil cheana féin. Freisin, tá seirbhísí ar fáil ag leithéidi Foras na Gaeilge chun tacú le haistriúcháin do ghnóthaí. Tá eisceachtaí molta againn fosta. Nílimid ag iarraidh pacáiste dhátheangach a bhrú ar iompórtálaí speisialta nó tairgí tástála agus áitiúla. Tá eisceacht mar seo ann i gCeanada mar shampla. Nílimid ag brú dhátheangachas ar chomharthaí sna siopaí, ach oiread más comharthaí sealadacha, i dteangacha iasachta nó a léiríonn ainm nó branda atá iontu.

Seans go bhfuil eisceachtaí eile ag teastáil agus seans nach bhfuil an foclaíocht foirfe mar ba chóir. Sin an fáth go bhfuilimid anseo; chun an reachtaíocht seo a phlé agus chun cearta tomhaltóirí a fheabhsú. Cearta tomhaltóirí iad cearta teanga. D'fhéadfadh an Bille seo dul chun cinn as cuimse a dhéanamh d'fheiceálacht na Gaeilge, a chabhródh le foghlaimeoirí, le daoine nár úsáid an Ghaeilge ón scoil, le thuismitheoirí ag iarraidh tacú lena bpáistí, le Gaeilgeoirí líofa atá ag iarraidh maireachtáil trí Ghaeilge agus le pobal na Gaeltachta, atá seasta á mbrú i dtreo an Bhéarla. D'fhéadfadh na leasuithe seo poist nua a chruthú sa bhrandáil agus sa mhargaíocht Gaeilge. Ag deireadh an lae bheadh saol níos éasca agus deiseanna nua ann do Ghaeilgeoirí agus chun daoine a mhealladh i dtreo na Gaeilge. Tuigim go dtacaíonn an tAire Stáit agus mo chomhghleacaithe sa Seanad, as gach páirtí, leis na spriocanna sin. Mar sin impím orthu machnamh a dhéanamh ar na moltaí seo.

Gabhaim buíochas le hEoghan Finn in oifig mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, atá sárobair déanta aige ó thaobh na leasuithe seo a chur le chéile ar mo shon. Tá mé breá sásta go raibh an seal seo againn iad a phlé. Tá mé ag dúil go mór le cluinstin ón Aire Stáit faoi caidé atá beartaithe aige a dhéanamh ar an Chéim seo den Bhille.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile agus a chomhghleacaithe, an Teachta Ó Snodaigh agus Eoghan Finn in oifig an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, as na leasuithe seo. Táimid ann chun leasuithe a dhéanamh sa Bhille seo agus bhí sin soiléir sa Dáil, nuair atá na rialacha in ann é a dhéanamh. Aontaím go mór le spiorad na leasuithe seo. Seasaim leis an spiorad sin ach tá cúpla fadhb leis na leasuithe agus is fadhbanna móra iad. Leis na fadhbanna sin is é an cinneadh ná dul i gcoinne na leasuithe. Tá an cinneadh sin bunaithe ar chúrsaí dlíthiúil agus anailís polasaí de na leasuithe atá curtha. Tá cúpla focal ginearálta le rá ar dtús agus rachaimid tríd na leasuithe ar fad tar éis sin.

Beidh an Bille foilsithe i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla nuair a táimid críochnaithe sa phróiseas seo. Níl aon rud sa Bhille ag cur in iúl go gcaithfidh muintir ghnó teanga faoi leith a úsáid nuair atá siad ag díol rudaí. Tá rogha acu an Ghaeilge a úsáid sa ghnó agus iad ag díol rudaí. B'fhéidir go gcaithimid obair air sin. Caithimid uilig cabhrú agus cuidiú le gnóthaí agus le díoltóirí ionas go mbainfidh siad mórán úsáide as an teanga. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir, tá cuidiú ann ó ghrúpaí cosúil le Foras na Gaeilge ach nuair a bhí an Seanadóir ag caint ansin bhí mé ag ceapadh go raibh i bhfad níos mó Gaeilge thart blianta ó shin ná mar atá anois sa siopaí agus ar líne. B'fhéidir go bhféadfaimis dul ar ais go dtí sin. Bhí i bhfad níos mó Gaeilge i gcúrsaí ghnó tráth ná mar atá ag an nóiméad seo mar sin caithimid go léir rudaí a dhéanamh faoi sin.

Is é príomhaidhm an Bhille seo ná ceartaí tomhaltóirí a chosaint. Caithimid obair leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, leis an Aire, an Teachta Catherine Martin, agus leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers, chun cúrsaí Gaeilge a spreagadh freisin. Mar sin, tá mé chun scríobh go dtí an Aire, an Teachta Catherine Martin, agus go dtí an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers, chun spiorad na leasuithe seo a leagan amach. Déanfaimid iarracht a fháil amach conas mar a bheimid in ann obair le chéile chun déileáil leis an bhfadhb seo i gcúrsaí difriúla, ní hamháin i gcúrsaí dlíthiúil. Nuair a théimid tríd na leasuithe b'fhéidir go mbeidh tuiscint againn nach raibh mórán ama againn impacts na leasuithe seo a phlé. Mar gheall air sin ní raibh seans againn iad a phlé le gnóthaí. Níor tháinig na leasuithe seo tríd pre-legislative scrutiny; ní raibh aon chomhrá dá leithéid faoi seo mar sin ní raibh seans ag na gnóthaí caint faoi na hathruithe a bheas ag teacht as na leasuithe.

Tagraím do leasú Uimh. 2. Leagann sé amach, ó thaobh cúrsaí Gaeilge de, go mbeidh comtharthaí eolasi siopaí, oifigí agus rudaí mar sin sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla. Toisc sin táimid buartha go bhfuil ceist dlí anseo. Má tá dual language obligations i gcomhthéacs an ghnó, beidh troid ann leis an EU. Ní raibh an t-am againn dul tríd sin agus caint leis an EU. Freisin, mar a dúirt mé, sa dréacht-iniúchadh reáchtála, ní raibh seans againn é seo a phlé. Ní raibh seans againn na cúrsaí seo a chur os comhair siúd a bheadh páirteach sa phróiseas sin. Sin pre-legislative scrutiny. Seans go ndéanfaí athruithe do chúrsaí gnó agus ní raibh seans againn é sin a phlé. Mar a dúirt mé ar an Dara Céim, táim buartha faoi ghnóthaí beaga ach go háirithe. Tuigim go bhfuil run-in period ann sna leasuithe ach níl tuiscint againn ag an nóiméad seo faoi na costais breise. Bheinn i bhfad ní ba shásta dul leis na leasuithe seo nuair a bheidh an tuiscint sin agam agus nuair a bheimid in ann plé le daoine agus a chur in iúl dóibh go mbeidh costais breise ann ach gur fiú é. Caithimid suim na costais breise a thabhairt dóibh. Freisin, bheadh sé tábhachtach na hathruithe seo a phlé leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus le Ranna Rialtais eile.

Tagraím do leasú Uimh. 3. Tuigim go bhfuil an Seanadóir ag lorg eolais i signs i nGaeilge nó sa dá teanga. Tá deacracht ann le cúrsaí margaíochta, cosúil le packaging agus labelling. Níl na cúrsaí sin i gceist sa dlí seo.Baineann an dlí seo le conarthaí consumers agus leis na rights, remedies agus freagrachtaí atá ann nuair nach bhfuil rudaí ag obair. Maidir leis an dlí seo, tá an Roinn den tuairim go bhfuil an leasú seo taobh amuigh d'aidhmeanna an Bhille agus go gcaithfidh muid dul ar ais agus cead a fháil chun leanúint ar aghaidh le leasú Uimh. 3. Cuirfidh sé seo moill ar an mBille.

Baineann leasú Uimh. 4, ina moltar section nua i gCuid 2 den Bhille, le packaging agus labelling freisin. Tá sé ceangailte leis an leasú deireanach. I gcás rudaí a fhaigheann gnólachtaí Éireannacha ó thar lear agus iad marcáilte mar tháirgí Éireannacha, bheadh costais bhreise agus brú breise ar chomhlachtaí idirnáisiúnta atá ag díol rudaí i margadh na hÉireann an t-eolas breise seo a chur orthu. Tagann sé ar ais go dtí na buairimh a bhí agam nach mbeidh seans againn na hathruithe seo a phlé leis na cumainn ghnó, go háirithe iad a bhaineann le gnólachtaí beaga. Tá ceisteanna ann freisin maidir le technical barriers to trade, mar a deirtear as Béarla, ó thaobh an WTO. Tuigim go bhfuil exceptions ann ach tá siad limited. Ní raibh mórán seans againn na rudaí seo a phlé. Táim buartha freisin go mbeidh troid ann idir an leasú agus Article 5(1) den consumer rights directive a bhfuilimid ag iarraidh é a transpose anseo. Táim buartha faoi seo freisin.

Tuigim an spiorad agus cad atá an Seanadóir ag iarraidh a dhéanamh. Ba mhaith liom gach duine a chuidiú leis sin. B'fhéidir nach é an Bille seo an áit chun é seo a dhéanamh. Ceapaim nach bhfuil ach caithfimid oibriú chun é a dhéanamh. Mar a dúirt mé, táim chun scríobh chuig an Aire, an Teachta Catherine Martin, agus chuig an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers. Chomh maith leis sin, táim chun iarracht a dhéanamh i mo Roinn féin a fháil amach cad iad na feithiclí lena mbeimid in ann spiorad na leasuithe a bhaint amach agus cén cuidiú a bheimid in ann a thabhairt do ghnólachtaí, agus do ghnólachtaí beaga ach go háirithe, chun rudaí Gaeilge a spreagadh agus chun níos mó Gaeilge a bheith in úsáid gach lá sa ghnó, sa tseirbhís leighis, in oifigí dochtúirí agus oifigí dlí agus i siopaí agus mar sin de. Táim sásta obair leis an Seanadóir, leis an Teachta Ó Snodaigh agus le Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge chun é sin a dhéanamh.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Tá cúpla rud le rá agam air sin. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Maidir leis an méid iomlán atá ráite aige, tá díomá orm ach níl dóchas caillte agam go hiomlán ach an oiread. Creidim go mór mór gur féidir linn teacht ar réiteach ar na hábhair atá luaite ag an Aire Stáit agus ní hamháin an spiorad, ach na rudaí praiticiúla atáimid ag iarraidh a dhéanamh trí na leasuithe seo, a bhaint amach. Déarfaidh mé cúpla rud maidir leis an méid atáimid ag iarraidh a bhaint amach agus an fáth go mbeadh na leasuithe seo ina gcuidiú ollmhór i dtaca leis na cuspóirí sin.

Den chuid is mó, níl muid ach ag iarraidh an dátheangachas a bheith infheicthe ar lipéadú táirgí sna siopaí. Is é seo an cineál rud atá déanta in áiteanna eile. Chímid ar fad go bhfuil dhá theanga ar chomhchéim ar tháirgí i gCeanada agus ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh. Ní mo chuid Fraincise chomh maith agus a bhí ach feictear leithéidí chocolat au laitar lipéadú. An bhfuil sé sin i gceart? Does Senator Boyhan know if that is right?

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Au lait.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Caithfidh mé a bheith cúramach ach, nuair a amharctar thart, chítear a leithéid. Tá An Cailín Ciúin sa phictiúrlann faoi láthair, an chéad scannán trí mheán na Gaeilge a bhailigh breis agus €1 milliún. Tá daoine ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a consume. Amharctar ar rudaí cosúil le Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge. Is tionscadal fíormhaith é sin agus tréaslaím leis. Léiríonn sé gur cineál unique selling point é an Ghaeilge. Tá gnóthaí breá sásta, breá ullmhaithe agus breá oscailte chun amharc ar an nGaeilge agus ar an dátheangachas mar ghné dhearfach dá margaíocht agus díolacháin. Ba cheart dúinn cur leis sin agus tógáil air tríd an Bhille seo.

Nuair a amharctar thart ar an domhan, feictear go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ina teanga oifigiúil den Aontas Eorpach. Is dea-shampla den ilteangachas iad tíortha an Aontais Eorpaigh agus ba cheart dúinn an dea-chleachtas sin a leanstan sa chás seo.

Tá rudaí ráite ag an Aire Stáit faoin WTO. Beidh ar an Aire Stáit cur leis sin mar ní thuigim an pointe atá á dhéanamh aige, ach is é an bhuncheist atá agam go bunúsach ná, an í an Ghaeilge príomhtheanga an Stáit seo de réir Bhunreacht na hÉireann nó nach í? Más an phríomhtheanga í, tá dualgas bunreachtúil againn í a chur ar chomhchéim leis an Bhéarla agus le teanga ar bith eile atá i réim sa Stát seo.

Dar ndóigh, chonaic muid le linn na paindéime go bhfuil gnóthaí beaga breá ábalta iad féin a mhúnlú do na coinníollacha atá i bhfeidhm thart timpeall orthu. Is é an taithí atá agam maidir le gnóthaí beaga, gnóthaí áitiúla agus gnóthaí dúchasacha Éireannacha ná gurb iad, den chuid is mó, na cinn a bhaineann úsáid as an Ghaeilge gan aon dualgas a bheith orthu. Aithníonn siad gur buntáiste atá ann sa Ghaeilge a chur cinn. Nuair a amharctar ar leithéidí Etsy agus Instagram anois, tá siopaí agus gnóthaí beaga orthu atá ag feidhmiú go huile agus go hiomlán trí mheán na Gaeilge. Níl Béarla ar bith le feiceáil agus tá ag éirí go fíormhaith leo mar gheall air sin. Creidim go mbeidh an dátheangachas ná an t-ilteangachas ina gcuidiú agus ina mbuntáiste ollmhór do ghnóthaí móra, do ghnóthaí móra, do mheánghnóthaí agus do ghnóthaí d'aon saghas eile. Creidim chomh maith go mbeidh sé ina bhuntáiste ollmhór don phobal Gaeltachta agus don phobal agus sochaí ina iomláine.

Níl mé ag iarraidh dul in iomaíocht leis an Aire Stáit maidir leis seo. Aithním a thaifead agus an grá atá aige don Ghaeilge agus tá ardmheas agam air. Tá a fhios agam cá háit a mbeadh sé ar an gceist seo mura raibh sé sa suíochán ina bhfuil sé, ach ba cheart dúinn gan na doirse a druidim ag an bpointe seo. Aithním go bhfuil an tAire Stáit chun scríobh chuig an Aire, an Teachta Martin, agus chuig an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers ach, is cuma cén chomhairle atá aige ar an bpointe seo, creidim gur féidir linn rud éigin dearfach agus fiúntach a dhéanamh sa Bhille seo agus gurb é seo an áit is fóirsteanaí agus an áit cheart chun an méid a bhfuilimid ag iarraidh a bhaint amach a bhaint amach. Agus na leasuithe anois feicthe ag an Aire Stáit agus píosa comhairliúcháin déanta aige, tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sásta bualadh linn idir seo agus an chéad chéim eile. Tá súil agam nach mbeidh orm na leasuithe seo a bhrú mar tá sé ráite ag roinnt mhaith de na Seanadóirí ar an taobh seo go bhfuil siad i bhfabhar an pholasaí seo. Níl mise ag iarraidh brú a chur ar aon duine. Táim ag iarraidh go mbeimid in ann é seo a bhaint amach. Creidim go mbeidh sé go maith dúinn mar thír agus mar shochaí agus d'fhás agus dul chun cinn an gheilleagair agus gnóthaí ar fud an Stáit.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Táimid ag iarraidh dul chuig an áit chéanna. Aontaím leis sin. Tá meas agam ar an Seanadóir ach ní aontaím gurb é an Bille seo an fheithicil chun é seo a dhéanamh. Táim sásta chun cruinniú a eagrú chun go mbeidh tuiscint ag foireann an tSeanadóra ar na fadhbanna atá ann. Tá siad bunaithe ar chúrsaí dlí. Tá buaireamh ann nach gcloíonn an leasú le dlí Eorpach ná dlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba mhaith liom postaeraí cosúil leis sin a fheiceáil i siopaí ach caithfimid a bheith cúramach ó thaobh cúrsaí dlí freisin. Déanfaidh mé iarracht cruinniú a eagrú le foireann an tSeanadóra chun go mbeidh an tuiscint seo orthu. Is cuma cad a éiríonn as an gcruinniú, geallaim don Seanadóir go bhfuil mórán suime agam ina bheith ag obair leis chun dul sa treo ina bhfuilimid ag iarraidh dul.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Tuigim agus aithním é sin. Is é an fáth go bhfuil mé ag iarraidh bualadh leis an Aire Stáit ná chun gur féidir linn, mar Bhaill den Oireachtas, tuiscint níos fearr a bheith againn agus mionscrúdú a dhéanamh, mar is é sin an ról atá againn. Is é sin ár jab.Cé go ndeir an tAire Stáit go bhfuil orainn a bheith cúramach, níl mórán contúirte i gceist leis seo, ach is é sin atá ráite agus aithním gurb é sin an chomhairle atá á fáil aige. Tá orainn a bheith rud beag spreagúil agus muiníneach faoi seo fosta agus gur cheart dúinn smaoineamh taobh amuigh den box agus dá bhfuil imithe roimhe. Is féidir linn rud éigin nua a dhéanamh, atá á dhéanamh ag tíortha agus stáit fud fad an domhain, a chuireann lena gcultúr agus lena n-eacnamaíocht.

Táimid ag rá an rud céanna ar leibhéal amháin. Aithním an méid atá ráite ag an Aire Stáit. Tá mé breá sásta go bhfuil an tAire Stáit ag dul bualadh linn agus go mbeidh an seal againn bualadh lena oifigigh ón Roinn chun é seo a phlé níos faide.

Dar ndóigh, coinneoidh mé an ceart chun na leasuithe seo a athchur ag an gcéad Chéim eile ar mhaithe lena gcosaint agus ar mhaithe leis na hábhair seo a chosaint chomh maith.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 3:

In page 83, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "Language of On-Premises Information

103. (1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have effect only on on-premises signage newly erected or altered following that date.

(2) All information provided on on-premises signage aimed at consumers shall be in the Irish language or in both official languages.

(3) In the event of the information referred to in subsection (2)being provided in both official languages—

(a) the text in the Irish language shall be first,

(b) the text in the Irish language shall be at least as prominent, as visible and as legible as the text in the English language,

(c) the lettering of the text in the Irish language shall not be smaller in size than the lettering in the text in the English language or in italic font where the English text is not,

(d) the text in the Irish language shall convey the same information as is conveyed by the text in the English language, and

(e) no word of the text in the Irish language shall be abbreviated unless the word in the text in the English language, which is a translation thereof, is likewise abbreviated.

(4) Text on a sign shall be exempt from the requirements under subsection (2)if it fulfils any of the following criteria:

(a) information in a language or languages without either Irish or English versions present;

(b) temporary information to be replaced within a period no longer than three weeks; or

(c) the name of a person, family, trademark or brand.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the provision of information on signage in other languages in addition to those required under this section.".

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 4:

In page 83, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "Language of Information Required for Goods

103. (1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have no effect on the packaging of products for sale prior to the date set by the Minister.

(2) In order to be considered, provided in a clear and comprehensible manner in accordance with section 101, all information specified in sections 101 and 102, as well as text conveying branding or messaging for marketing purposes, and shown on the label, container or packaging of a pre-packaged product, including information presented in stylised or artistic renderings of text, shall be shown in the Irish language or in both official languages, unless the product fulfils the criteria for exemption under subsection (4).

(3) In the event of the information referred to in subsection (2)being provided in both official languages—

(a) the text in the Irish language shall be first, where both languages feature on the same surface,

(b) the text in the Irish language shall be at least as prominent, as visible and as legible as the text in the English language,

(c) the lettering of the text in the Irish language shall not be smaller in size than the lettering in the text in the English language or in italic font where the English text is not,

(d) the text in the Irish language shall convey the same information as is conveyed by the text in the English language,

(e) no word of the text in the Irish language shall be abbreviated unless the word in the text in the English language, which is a translation thereof, is likewise abbreviated, and

(f) where there are one or more surfaces on the container or packaging of a pre-packaged product that are of at least the same size and prominence, the information shown on one surface may be shown in one official language if such information is shown in the other official language on one of those other surfaces.

(4) A product shall be exempt from the requirements under subsection (2)if it fulfils any of the following criteria and provides the required information in at least one official language on the label, container or packaging:

(a) a speciality imported product, not widely used and without a readily available substitute;

(b) a language-based product, such as a greeting card, book, talking toy or game, in which knowledge of the language used is a basic factor essential to the use of the product;

(c) a test market product for the duration of, and no longer than a year following the commencement of, its product trial; or

(d) a local product which is not available for sale on premises outside of the local authority area in which it is produced and the local authority areas which border that area.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the provision of information on pre-packaged goods in other languages in addition to those required under this section.".

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 5:

In page 100, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "Consumer Rights relating to Language Options of On-Premises and Public Self-Service Kiosks

122. (1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have effect only on self-service kiosks which are newly introduced, upgraded or updated, following that date.

(2) In the case of a self-service kiosk, including but not limited to self-service cashiers, ticket machines and automated teller machines, located in a business premises or operated by a business in a public place for the purposes of use by a consumer or member of the public, the kiosk shall provide the consumer with the option to use the kiosk in the Irish language or provide the consumer with a choice between using the kiosk in the Irish language or the English language.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the provision of options to use the kiosk in other languages in addition to those required under this section.

(4) The service available on the kiosk in the Irish language shall be of at least the same standard and quality as the service available in the English language.

(5) Where there is a single default language on the self-service kiosk or its homepage menu, the default shall be the Irish language.

(6) Where flag icons are used to represent language options on a self-service kiosk, the Irish flag shall be used to represent the Irish language option.

(7) In the event of the information referred to in subsection (2)being provided in both official languages on the same page—

(a) the text in the Irish language shall be first,

(b) the text in the Irish language shall be at least as prominent, as visible and as legible as the text in the English language,

(c) the lettering of the text in the Irish language shall not be smaller in size than the lettering in the text in the English language or in italic font where the English text is not,

(d) the text in the Irish language shall convey the same information as is conveyed by the text in the English language, and

(e) no word of the text in the Irish language shall be abbreviated unless the word in the text in the English language, which is a translation thereof, is likewise abbreviated.

(8) Where the kiosk allows for, requests, or causes to be recorded, a consumer's name as part of its use, an interaction or a transaction, the right of the consumer to correctly input and have recorded their name, in the Irish language or in the English language, including síntí fadaand séimhithe, shall be guaranteed.".

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I move amendment No. 6:

In page 105, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: "Protection for the Elderly

130. (1) An entity providing a good, service or looking for a person to sign a contract shall do all that is reasonable to ensure that a person is not impaired from access to their services by issues with mobility or IT skills.

(2) The provision of interpretation shall be at no cost to the person concerned.

(3) The Minister may, by regulations, provide that where a person intends to avail of a good or service using different technology, the person shall give the body such prior notification of their intention within such a period as specified in the regulations.".

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with this. It is quite a simple amendment. It is about how we can protect the elderly and more vulnerable in terms of consumer affairs and consumer rights. We know from transactions in banks and other transactions in the commercial world that there are difficulties in this area. My amendment, which has three aspects, is to insert the following provisions into the legislation:

(1) An entity providing a good, service or looking for a person to sign a contract shall do all that is reasonable to ensure that a person is not impaired from access to their services by issues with mobility or IT skills.

(2) The provision of interpretation shall be at no cost to the person concerned.

(3) The Minister may, by regulations, provide that where a person intends to avail of a good or service using different technology, the person shall give the body such prior notification of their intention within such a period as specified in the regulations.

In drawing the Minister of State's attention to the important rationale behind my amendment, I draw his attention to the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. A provision in that legislation states a public body shall do all that is reasonable to ensure interpretation into Irish Sign Language. It concerns Irish Sign Language but recognises that there are people at a disadvantage in transactions and engagement. They should not be put at any disadvantage, be they elderly, vulnerable or with a disability. It is important that we keep the whole process open to allow engagement. There is precedent for what I advocate in the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. The Minister of State might take a look at that. My point is an important one to make.

We must also ensure that the rights of the elderly and others, I do not want to make the legislation too prescriptive, are protected. At the moment, many products and services are becoming more restricted for certain categories of people. Banking, which I mentioned, is becoming increasingly difficult. This is also the case in the areas of consumer protection and consumer rights. In this regard, I am referring to the consumer understanding of contractual arrangements. It is about freeing things up and recognising that everybody needs to be included. This amendment will also help to stop discrimination, which is important.

I have mentioned that the Irish Sign Language Act protects the rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing when accessing Government services. That is specifically set out in the legislation. Therefore, it is important that we take steps to ensure elderly people are not prevented from accessing services due to a lack of IT skills or mobility issues. I encourage the House to consider my amendment. I look forward to hearing the response of the Minister of State.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for submitting the amendment. I absolutely understand his wish for older people, in particular, not to be disadvantaged when concluding contracts because of a lack of mobility or technical proficiency. This does not apply only to older people.

The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of age or disability, along with many other grounds. That legislation allows positive action to promote equality for disadvantaged people or to cater for the special needs of people. In addition, it requires that those selling goods or providing services must provide reasonable accommodation or special treatment or facilities in the absence of which it would be impossible or unduly difficult for a person with a disability to avail of the goods or services.

When the European accessibility legislation currently being developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is completed, it will introduce accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the EU. It will have wide-ranging implications in some of the areas suggested, including trade and commerce, consumer protection, procurement, public procurement, transport, IT services, e-commerce services and some consumer banking services.

In the context of the Equal Status Act and the European accessibility legislation, I am not sure whether inserting the proposed provision into this Bill would be appropriate at this point. My officials and I have not had time to assess how it would interact with EU and domestic law. We just did not have the time to do so before the amendment was submitted. We are anxious to conclude this Bill but I do not want to dismiss the Senator's arguments. I think the matter would be better dealt with in the context of the European accessibility legislation and within the existing provisions of the Equal Status Act.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I take it that the Minister of State is clearly hearing the concerns, which I welcome. His response was positive and honest because he clearly told the House he has not had time to go into this in any great depth. I thank him for the opportunity to engage with him on it. I ask that he and his officials be mindful of what I am raising. It is really important because there are groups in society who are beginning to feel excluded from commercial life. It is important that we protect them. It is important to be vocal and advocate for them. I thank the Minister of State for his response.

Marie Sherlock (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 7:

In page 105, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “(4) (a) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, where a trader supplies a service to subscribers, it is an unfair term of the contract under which the service is provided if the trader, in relation to provision of the same or substantially the same service, charges consumers who are renewing their subscription a higher fee than the trader charges consumers who are new subscribers.

(b) In paragraph (a), “subscriber” means a consumer who receives a service from a trader pursuant to a contract where, on payment of a periodic fee, the contract with the trader, under which the service is supplied, is successively renewed or rolled over, whether the fee is calculated solely by reference to a period of time or by reference to the amount of service received during that period, or by a combination of both; and “subscription” shall be construed accordingly.”.

A feature of much of the purchase of online services and goods is the auto-renew function that we obviously do not have when we physically walk into a shop, but is very much a feature in the online sphere. We believe it is not adequately regulated. There was much coverage of price walking or dual pricing in the insurance industry but it also exists with the purchase or renewal of purchase for digital goods. The amendment seeks to ensure that existing subscribers are offered the same prices as new subscribers. There should not be a penalty for loyalty and existing subscribers should be entitled to whatever pricing structure is available on renewal. As existing customers, we have all seen mobile phone companies offering a new customer a much better deal than those of us who are existing customers. We need something like what we have seen in the insurance sphere, albeit some of the details are quite different. We need a clear public message on not penalising loyal customers. We need a level playing field for existing and new customers.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed amendment to section 130 relates to the renewal of subscription contracts. The purpose of the amendment is to make it an unfair term in a consumer contract to charge consumers who are renewing their subscription a higher fee than consumers who are new subscribers. This ties in with the previous amendments. These issues were raised during the Dáil debates. Along with departmental officials, my predecessor, Deputy Troy, as he committed to, did much work in this space over the summer recess to ensure it could be done in a legally sound way. Officials engaged with a number of stakeholders to discuss the feasibility of doing that. I inherited that work and I wrote to Deputy Sherlock on the findings relating to it.

A number of insights emanated from that exercise. Most subscription contracts are in heavily regulated sectors such as utilities and telecoms. The relevant regulators in those sectors already have powers to intervene to protect consumer rights. For example, in September the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, published a suite of additional protections for customers that energy suppliers must implement. This means that energy suppliers will be required to publish their retention offers, including relevant discounts, on their websites from December next. Suppliers will also be obliged to provide this information to customers who call their customer care lines about their contracts. This is similar to the previous amendment. Abiding by these rules is a licensing condition and the CRU can take action including revocation of licence and administrative sanctions for non-compliance.

Arising from the work, we have ascertained there is a risk that inserting an amendment of this nature into the Consumer Rights Bill could result in negative, unintended consequences on fair competition in the marketplace. The prohibition of businesses using the long-standing practice of introductory offers for new customers unless they, in parallel, made the same offer to existing customers could do damage. As a consequence, there would be little benefit to shopping around and consumers who look for value on a regular basis may be inadvertently disadvantaged.

The CCPC is undertaking research into pricing practices across 12 different sectors and it intends to publish a report towards the end of this year. The findings of this report will be important in informing policy in this area. I advise prudence in awaiting the recommendations emanating from that research before making any substantive policy or legislative changes in this area.

Arising from the work completed over the summer, it remains unclear if legislating in this area would be an effective route. Such aspects would require further consideration. Even if we were to agree a policy in this space, there would be difficulties in legislating using the architecture of the Consumer Rights Bill for an amendment seeking to restrict the pricing practices of service providers.

We have done the preliminary work and more work needs to be done. However, we want to progress this legislation. I will keep pressure on the CCPC arising from the work my officials completed over the summer. I will certainly be keeping a sharp eye on this space. Unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendment.

Marie Sherlock (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 8:

8.In page 139, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:

“Consumer complaints

159.The Consumer Protection Act 2007 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 66B:

“Part 4B

SUBSCRIBER COMPLAINTS HANDLING

Interpretation and application of Part

66C.(1) In this Part—

‘complaint’—

(a) means any expression of a subscriber’s dissatisfaction and his or her expectation of a response or resolution, and

(b) includes any request by a subscriber for information or assistance, made to a trader and arising from difficulties experienced in relation to a service provided by the trader to the subscriber;

‘subscriber’ means a consumer who receives a service from a trader pursuant to a contract where, on payment of a periodic fee, the contract with the trader under which the service is supplied is successively renewed or rolled over, whether the fee is calculated solely by reference to a period of time or by reference to the amount of service received during that period, or by a combination of both; and ‘subscription’ shall be construed accordingly.

(2) This Part applies to traders who supply a service to subscribers.

Requirement to establish complaints handling scheme

66E.(1) The Commission may—

(a) by regulation require traders to which this Part applies to establish a scheme for handling subscriber complaints (in this Part referred to as a ‘scheme’) in relation to the trader’s service or the supply of the service, and

(b) prepare and publish guidelines applicable to traders concerning the establishment, form and operation of a scheme.

(2) Before making regulations or publishing guidelines under this Part, the Commission may prepare draft regulations and draft guidelines and may consult with any person, as the Commission considers appropriate.

(3) Regulations under this Part may, as respects schemes, specify different requirements by reference to the class of trader concerned (being a class defined by reference to the commercial sector, the turnover of traders, the number of subscribers to the service or such other matters as the Commission considers appropriate).

Provisions of complaints handling scheme

66F.Regulations under this Part may—

(a) require traders to attempt to resolve subscriber complaints and, as appropriate, to provide subscribers with a satisfactory explanation, an apology or some other form of redress,

(b) require the provision of information to subscribers in relation to the scheme and how it may be availed of, including details of how to contact the trader and specifying minimum requirements in relation to a trader’s response to contacts initiated by post, telephone and electronic communications,

(c) require procedures under a scheme to comprise specified steps, and require one or more of the steps to be taken or completed within specified periods,

(d) require traders to notify subscribers of the timescales for each step, and of the trader’s commitments and standards in relation to response times,

(e) require traders to include a procedure for escalating complaints to a more senior specified person where a subscriber is dissatisfied having completed the first step in the complaints process,

(f) require traders to provide subscribers with details of how the Commission can assist in resolving complaints which the trader has not resolved to the subscriber’s satisfaction and how the Commission can be contacted, and

(g) prescribe such other requirements as the Commission considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of enabling complaints to be dealt with or resolved.

Remedies and penalties

66G. (1) A trader who is required by regulations under this Part to establish a scheme and who fails to do so is guilty of an offence.

(2) A trader who establishes a scheme in accordance with regulations under this Part and who persistently fails to comply with the provisions of that scheme is guilty of an offence.

(3) For the purposes of Part 5, ‘prohibited act or practice’ includes:

(a) the failure by a trader to establish a scheme where he or she is required by regulations under this Part to do so; and

(b) the persistent failure by a trader who establishes a scheme in accordance with regulations under this Part to comply with the provisions of that scheme.”.”.

I will withdraw the amendment. I reserve the right to reintroduce it.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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Next Tuesday.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed to? Agreed.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Seandóirí, an Aire Stáit, and the officials and everybody else for dealing with this promptly. It was very important to do so. Does the Minister of State wish to say anything in conclusion?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank both the Acting Chairperson, Senator Murphy, and Senator Horkan for chairing the debate. Even though I know Senator Horkan is from the leafy suburbs of south Dublin, he sounded like a man well-practised in auctioneering the way he went through the sections. This is very important legislation and we are anxious to get it completed. Certainly, in relation to the amendments proposed by an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile, beidh cruinniú ann agus déanfaimid iarracht go dtarlóidh sé roimh an gcéad chéim eile. The work highlighted in Senator Sherlock's amendments will continue when the Bill is passed. I thank everybody in the Seanad Office and the Cathaoirleach's office for their co-operation.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.