Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 26: 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. [4072/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consumer Protection Act 2007, which commenced in May last year, empowers the National Consumer Agency to prepare and publish guidelines to traders in relation to matters of consumer welfare and protection and matters related to commercial practices. The Act also entitles the Agency to review or approve Codes of Practice submitted to it by traders or their trade associations where the Agency is satisfied that the Code of Practice protects consumer interests and is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act or any other enactment.

The Agency has publicly stated its desire 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 Guidelines to business in two specific areas namely the Retail Sector and the Health and Fitness Sector. Following initial consultations with both sectors, the Agency is in the process of preparing detailed documents which reflect the views provided by businesses in those sectors and their representative bodies. The Agency intends to further consult with sectors concerned with a view to finalizing matters as soon as possible.

I welcome the positive steps taken by the Agency in working with traders and their representative associations to develop a strong consumer culture amongst Irish business. I am certain that the development of such a culture through initiatives such as Agency Guidelines and Consumer Codes of Practice will be to the benefit of not only consumers but also the businesses themselves and the economy as a whole.