Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the National Consumer Agency is accessible to all people who have queries or complaints by low cost calls or by website; if not the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The National Consumer Agency operates a Lo-Call helpline number 1890 432 432 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday through Friday to assist consumers in relation to queries or complaints. The Agency also provides comprehensive consumer information and advice on its website at www.consumerconnect.ie. Consumers can email their queries or complaints to ask@consumerconnect.ie.

The Consumer Strategy Group recommended that the provision of easily accessible information and advice should be a core function of any new consumer agency. It was for this reason that the NCA identified the establishment of a low cost helpline and the development of a web-based information portal as priorities for the new Agency. I commend the NCA on the speed in which it has established these important consumer information facilities and I am confident that they will be recognized and used as a valuable resource by consumers themselves.