Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Departmental Reports

9:00 pm

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the work of the sales law review group which was established in November 2008; if it has completed its work reviewing the 1893 and 1980 Sales Acts; if not, when he expects to receive a final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16495/11]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Sales Law Review Group was established in November 2008 to review the legislation governing the sale of goods and supply of services. It was asked also to assess the implications for Irish consumer rights and Irish consumer law of the EU Commission proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights published in October 2008. An interim report on the proposed Directive prepared by the Review Group was issued in June 2009.

The time frame set for the Review Group originally envisaged that its work would be completed by mid-2010. In September 2010, the Group's Chairman, Professor Robert Clark, wrote to the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation advising him that, while the Group's conclusions and recommendations were substantially complete, it proposed to defer finalising and submitting its report pending clarification of the final contents of the proposed Directive on Consumer Rights. The then Minister agreed to accept this deferral given the extensive overlap between Irish and EU law in this area.

Agreement has now been reached on the Consumer Rights Directive by the European Parliament and Council, and the proposal is set to be formally adopted in the near future. The Sales Law Review Group held a meeting yesterday to finalise its recommendations and I expect to receive its final report shortly.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.