Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the proposal for a consumer rights enforcer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12078/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The views of Government on the consumer rights enforcer proposed by Fine Gael were outlined in detail by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for labour affairs, on the occasion of Deputy Hogan bringing forward his Private Member's Bill, the Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004 last November. The Government opposed this Bill at the time and the substantive position on the matter has not changed in the interim.

The Fine Gael proposals do not represent a comprehensive or up-to-date agenda for the modern Irish consumer. On 2 March last I received a comprehensive report from the consumer strategy group, which includes its recommendations for the development of a new consumer policy. This group comprised individuals with the expertise and experience to undertake the task and has engaged in an extensive public consultation exercise as well as taking into account the experience of other countries in implementing consumer policy. I am discussing the group's final report with my colleagues in Government and hope to publish the report shortly and announce my intentions in regard to progressing the group's recommendations at that time.

One aspect of the Fine Gael proposal is the increase of certain consumer protection fines to a maximum of €3,000. Legislation to this effect was published by my Department on 31 March last and is being taken in the Seanad. I look forward to the Deputy's support for this legislation in due course.