Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the new National Consumer Agency, when it is put on a statutory footing should be represented at social partnership talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37874/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consumer Strategy Group in its report, Make Consumers Count, which was published earlier this year, concluded that the consumer voice should be represented at the social partnership table. In this regard one of its specific recommendations is that social partnership should be expanded to include consumer representation on both the Government and voluntary sides.

My Department, given its statutory mandate for consumer protection policy, is already representing the consumer voice on the Government side at the social partnership table.

With regard to the voluntary side of social partnership, I understand from the Department of the Taoiseach that it would be open to the National Consumer Agency, once it is formally established, to apply to become a member of the community and voluntary pillar of the social partnership process. I am certain the NCA would have the necessary national focus, be sufficiently representative in its nature, have the required capacity to meet the obligations and demands arising from membership of the partnership process to ensure that its membership would add value to the process to deal with issues more effectively as required of those who seek to become members of the partnership process.