James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has a role in regulating auctioneers to encourage them to display realistic prices in their promotion of properties that reflect the market value of properties they are selling (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18932/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I would advise the Deputy that I have no role in relation to regulating auctioneers.

Under the law as it stands (the Auctioneers and Estate Agents Acts 1947 to 1973) the licensing of Auctioneers/Estate Agents is currently undertaken jointly by the Courts and the Revenue Commissioners.

In so far as the Consumer Protection Act 2007 is concerned, the Act, whilst not dealing with issues such as the cost of specific products or services, does contain provisions applicable to all sectors which prohibit traders from engaging in unfair commercial practices including misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive commercial practices. In that regard, any consumer who believes that they have suffered as a result of being misled in relation to the price of a good or service, including in relation to a property conveyancing service, may wish to contact the National Consumer Agency which is the body responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2007. The Deputy will be aware that the Agency is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions.