Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to an organisation (details supplied) which runs lifestyle seminars in this country and abroad; the measures he will take to protect consumers against this form of exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9028/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the situation referred to in the Deputy's question relates to instances where individual consumers agree to pay certain sums to attend lifestyle seminars in domestic and foreign locations. While I am advised that the fees charged for these seminars can sometimes be as high as €60,000, I am not aware that in charging such fees the organisation is breaching any specific consumer law. When purchasing goods or services it is generally the consumer's own responsibility to ensure that they get value for money, particularly so where the cost of the good or service in question involves significant amounts of money. It is not the function of the State to dictate to consumers what value they place on any particular good or service. It is a matter for the consumer to determine whether the fee being charged to attend a particular event represents value for money.

If the Deputy has any evidence that any law has been breached in regard to the provision of this service, I would be happy to review such evidence and to have the matter examined in more detail.