Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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260. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the legislation on gift vouchers will be finalised; when legislation will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; the target date for enacting the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51522/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On 12 June 2018, the Government approved the drafting of the Unfair Contract Terms (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2018. The Bill provides, first, that gift vouchers must be valid for a minimum term of five years and, secondly, that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, would have power to set fees for the issue and replacement of gift vouchers and for inactive balances on gift vouchers (commonly referred to as dormancy or maintenance fees).

Officials of my Department are currently working on the text of the Bill with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to finalising the drafting in the coming weeks.

I am disappointed that it has not proved possible to progress the Bill more quickly for the benefit of consumers however I want to assure the Deputy that the Bill is a priority for me and I would hope that it will pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas without delay after publication.