Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 50: 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. [16573/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consumer Protection Act 2007 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 voluntarily submitted to it by traders or their trade associations where the Agency is satisfied that the Code of Practice protects consumer interests.

As part of its stated intention to establish a strong relationship with business in order to promote a high standard of consumer protection and voluntary compliance by business with consumer law, the Agency is currently discussing the development of possible Codes of Practice with a number of businesses and their representative bodies. The Agency is also preparing Guidelines to businesses in two specific areas namely, the Retail Sector and the Health and Fitness Sector. I am advised that once it has concluded its consultations in relation to these matters, the Agency hopes to publish its final Guidelines to these sectors as soon as possible thereafter.

I very much welcome the positive approach of the National Consumer Agency in working with traders and their representative associations to develop a strong consumer culture amongst Irish business. I am confident that the development and promotion of such a culture through the initiatives embarked upon by the Agency will benefit not only consumers but businesses and the economy as a whole.