Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Taoiseach the consumer representative organisations that have applied to join the social partnership process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22675/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Social partnership is a responsive and continually evolving process, an important aspect of which is ensuring wide and appropriate involvement.

All applications for social partner status are considered in that context and against long-established criteria, i.e. that the organisations:

must be national and representative in nature;

have the capacity to meet the demands and obligations that arise as part of this participation; and

add to the capacity of the social partnership process to address issues effectively.

Organisations are also required to accept the terms of the relevant partnership agreement and the agreed participation structures for its implementation.

Shortly after the conclusion of negotiations for Towards 2016, my Department received a letter from the Consumers Association requesting social partnership status for the Association. The application was considered in the context of the criteria outlined above and the Government decided not to admit the Association.

It is considered that the National Consumer Agency provides the appropriate mechanism for the consumer perspective to be channelled into the partnership process via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Towards 2016 recognises the importance of competition and providing a fair deal for consumers. In this regard, the NCA has a strong mandate in terms of consumer advocacy, research, information, enforcement, education and awareness, and is empowered and resourced to promote the consumers' case with regulated industries and individual regulators.

In addition, the view and experiences of the Association and other consumer groups will of course continue to be taken into account by Departments and Agencies in the normal consultative process.