Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding Parliamentary Questions Nos. 99 and 100 of 14 April 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The final report of the consumer strategy group, entitled Make Consumers Count — A New Direction for Irish Consumers, was published on 18 May 2005. It has as its core recommendation that a new national consumer agency be established. This recommendation has been accepted in principle by the Government. The establishment of the new agency will require primary legislation and my Department has already commenced preparatory work on this matter. In order to maintain the momentum of the consumer strategy group's report, earlier this month I appointed a board to the new agency to act in an interim capacity until such time as the national consumer agency is established on a statutory footing.

The report has also recommended that the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 be revoked in its entirety. As indicated in my response to the House on 14 April 2005, I have now commenced a public consultation process whereby all interested parties are invited to make submissions on this recommendation, up until 31 July 2005. The views of all interested parties will be taken into consideration before any decision is taken in relation to the order.