Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the Consumer Strategy Group report to promote the usage of codes of practices by all businesses and to encourage self-regulation schemes; the efforts she has made to promote such codes and schemes; the outcome of those efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20294/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, 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 and is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act or any other enactment.

I am advised that the National Consumer 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 understand 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 recognise the important part that codes of practice can play in protecting the rights of consumers and in ensuring consistent, high quality goods and services and 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.