Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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714. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports of the mistreatment of customers by a company (details supplied); the actions he will take to engage with this company in relation to this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, traders in Ireland are generally free to set and change their own prices for goods and services. This means that, in most cases, there is no minimum or maximum price for goods or services. This is to allow for competition among businesses.

While traders are generally free to set their own terms, these must be clearly presented, written in plain language the consumer can understand, and not hidden in the small print. Costs must be clearly explained.

When a consumer enters into a contract for a service, such as flight bookings, there is an onus on the consumer to review all of the terms and conditions, including the various fees and charges attached to service, either prior to or at the time of booking.

Once the consumer has agreed to the service, then the consumer has agreed to the terms and conditions of that service. An agreement is not necessarily in writing. Once this agreement is entered into, both the consumer and the trader may be bound by the terms and conditions.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have advised my officials that, where a consumer is of the view that a trader has acted outside of the terms agreed by imposing a charge, they should complain to the trader in writing. Failing a satisfactory response, and where a consumer is at a financial loss, the Small Claims process may be an option for them.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website provides further information on terms and conditions and on unfair terms, as provided for in the Consumer Rights Act 2022.