Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government that steps would be taken to ensure that consumer codes of conduct are published by businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31150/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I advised the House in my reply of 24th October 2007 to a previous question on the same matter (PQ 25387/07 refers), the National Consumer Agency, which was established on a statutory basis on the commencement of the Consumer Protection Act in May 2007, is empowered as part of its mandate to publish Guidelines applicable to traders in relation to matters of consumer welfare and protection. The Agency is also empowered to approve Codes of Practice submitted to it by traders or their trade associations.

The Agency is keen to establish a strong relationship with business to develop the highest standards of consumer protection and compliance by traders with consumer protection law. To this end the Agency has held discussions with a number of business and representative bodies in relation to possible Codes of Practice. The Agency is also preparing to issue Guidelines to business in two specific areas namely the Retail Sector and the Health and Fitness Sector. In this regard the Agency has issued consultation documents in relation to particular practices in both these sectors. These documents can be accessed on the Agency's website www.consumerconnect.ie. I very much welcome the Agency's stated intention to work with business in the development of a strong consumer culture. I am confident that initiatives such as Agency Guidelines and Consumer Codes of Practice can play a significant part in achieving such a culture.