Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [23967/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, 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 empowers 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.

The Agency is currently giving priority to finalising Guidelines for business in two specific areas namely, the Retail Sector and the Health and Fitness Sector. I wish to acknowledge the constructive manner in which the Agency is engaging with business. I also fully support the stated intention of the Agency to continue to promote robust Codes of Practice covering various aspects of business activity over time.

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.