Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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711. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to hold online sellers and marketplaces, including those based outside Ireland, to the same standards and regulation as Irish retailers who sell consumer goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My department is committed to ensuring that all sellers offering goods to Irish consumers—whether based in Ireland or abroad—are subject to robust and fair regulation. The regulation of online marketplaces is governed primarily by two key EU instruments: the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). The DSA, in force since February 2024, imposes obligations on online platforms to ensure transparency, consumer safety, and accountability. This includes requirements for marketplaces to verify trader identities, remove illegal products, inform consumers of unsafe purchases, and cooperate with regulators. The GPSR, applicable from December 2024, modernises product safety rules for all consumer goods sold in the EU, placing specific responsibilities on marketplaces to monitor listings, suspend non-compliant sellers, and ensure traceability of products. Both regulations apply to platforms targeting EU consumers, regardless of where they are based, ensuring that online sellers are held to the same standards as Irish retailers. These measures are enforced through cooperation with national authorities such as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and reflect Ireland’s commitment to fair competition and robust consumer protection in the digital economy.

My department will continue to monitor the implementation of these regulations and work with EU partners to ensure effective enforcement and consumer confidence in the online marketplace.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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712. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to adopt solutions to address gaps in compliance by online sellers of consumer goods; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that established Irish retailers who follow the rules face an unfair disadvantage as certain third-country traders avoid costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46748/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I recognise the importance of ensuring that all sellers of consumer goods—whether based in Ireland, the EU, or third countries—comply fully with applicable regulations to maintain a fair and competitive retail environment. Irish retailers who operate in accordance with EU and national laws should not be placed at a disadvantage due to non-compliance by certain online sellers. To strengthen oversight and accountability, Ireland continues to implement the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).

These regulations apply to all traders targeting EU consumers, regardless of their location, and are enforced through cooperation with national authorities such as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The European Commission has also proposed further measures to tackle non-compliant imports and reinforce product safety controls, including customs reform and coordinated enforcement actions.

Importantly, Ireland remains open to all traders—whether EU-based or from third countries—who wish to establish operations here, provided they comply fully with EU and national laws. This approach supports fair competition, protects consumers, and ensures that all businesses operate under the same standards within the Irish market.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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713. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for a digital awareness campaign to inform online shoppers about their consumer rights and relevant health, safety and environmental issues ahead of Cyber Week and Black Friday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46749/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to promoting consumer awareness in the digital marketplace, particularly in the lead-up to high-volume shopping periods such as Cyber Week and Black Friday. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, consumers shopping online are entitled to clear pre-contractual information, a 14-day cooling-off period, and robust protections in cases of faulty or misrepresented goods. These rights apply equally to purchases made online and in-store, ensuring that consumers can shop with confidence regardless of the channel

In addition, the EU Price Indication Directive requires that any price reduction be accompanied by the prior price—defined as the lowest price applied in the previous 30 days—ensuring transparency and preventing misleading discount practices

To support these legal protections, my department will support the CCPC's awareness campaigns ahead of Cyber Week and Black Friday. This would build on the success of initiatives such as Safer Internet Day, which in 2025 reached over 2.2 million people through national media and stakeholder engagement.

The campaign would aim to inform consumers of their rights under consumer law, highlight key health, safety and environmental considerations, and encourage responsible digital purchasing behaviour. My department will continue to work with the 19 market surveillance authorities in Ireland, through my department's centralised liaison function, to ensure that consumers are empowered to make informed choices in the marketplace.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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714. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has taken steps to engage with the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland to ensure compliance and enforcement of advertising standards on digital platforms selling goods to Irish consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46750/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I support strong enforcement of advertising standards across all platforms, including digital marketplaces selling goods to Irish consumers. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) plays a key role in upholding these standards, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has worked closely with the ASA to strengthen oversight in areas such as influencer marketing, misleading pricing, and online promotions.

This collaboration has included the development of joint guidance, public awareness initiatives, and enhanced monitoring of digital content. In October 2023, the CCPC and the ASA published joint guidance on influencer advertising and marketing. This guidance provides information on how to correctly label commercial content that an influencer produces or shares on behalf of a brand on their social media channels. Influencers must label such content to comply with the Consumer Protection Act 2007.

In August 2025, regulatory oversight of this sector was further enhanced by the signing of a data sharing agreement between the CCPC and the ASA. This agreement establishes a legal framework for the ASA to share with the CCPC data received through its online reporting portal, giving the CCPC greater access to reports from the public of potential breaches of consumer protection law. I am aware that the CCPC meets regularly with the ASA to discuss issues of common concern and developments in advertisements on digital platforms. Additionally, a staff member of the CCPC sits on the ASA Complaints Council, which is responsible for evaluating and dealing with advertising complaints received from members of the public.

It is important to note that the ASA is an independent self-regulatory body and not an enforcement agency. As such, it requires assistance from state agencies such as the CCPC to ensure compliance with consumer protection law.

The CCPC is responsible for enforcing consumer protection law in Ireland, including where the law applies to advertising. As a statutory body, the CCPC has a range of enforcement tools available to it, up to and including prosecution. Recent enforcement actions include the publication of compliance notices against three influencers this year, with further action expected. In addition, prosecutions were taken last year against four retailers—Lifestyle Sports, DID Electrical, Rathwood Home & Garden, and Boots—under Regulation 5A of the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002 for misleading price indications. All four retailers pleaded guilty.

My department will continue to support this collaborative approach to protect consumers and uphold fair advertising practices in the digital economy.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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715. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken in Ireland ahead of the festive shopping season to tackle the surge in low value imports, as highlighted by the European Commission in their E-Commerce Communication in February 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46751/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the European Commission’s February 2025 Communication on e-commerce, which highlights the increasing volume of low-value imports entering the EU market via online platforms, particularly during peak shopping periods such as the festive season. In response, Ireland is actively engaging with EU partners to strengthen oversight and enforcement. I am also aware of the proposed Customs Union Reform Package, which includes measures to remove the current duty exemption for parcels valued under €150 and to introduce a uniform handling fee designed to support the cost of compliance checks and enforcement across Member States. I understand that the Revenue Commissioners are currently conducting a detailed analysis of the reform package, including its potential implications for Ireland, and are participating in discussions at EU level.

In parallel, Ireland continues to implement key EU regulations such as the Digital Services Act, the General Product Safety Regulation, and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, which apply to all traders targeting Irish consumers. These measures aim to ensure that imported goods meet EU safety, environmental and consumer protection standards, and that Irish businesses are not disadvantaged by unfair or non-compliant practices. My department remains committed to supporting a fair, safe and sustainable e-commerce environment and will continue to contribute to coordinated EU action in this area.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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716. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures the competition and consumer protection commission has put in place to enforce the stronger powers granted to them in Consumer Rights Act 2022, and in particular measures with respect to digital services. [46756/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

The Consumer Rights Act 2022, which came into effect in November 2022, represents a significant advancement in consumer protection in Ireland. It strengthens consumer rights across a range of areas, including digital content and services, and introduces new transparency obligations for online marketplaces. Importantly, it also provides consumers with enhanced remedies, empowering them to advocate for themselves directly with traders.

Under the Act, consumers may take civil action where a trader fails to meet their obligations. The small claims procedure in the District Court is available for certain disputes, with a financial limit currently set at €2,000.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has been granted additional powers under the Consumer Rights Act to enforce these rights. Where a trader refuses or fails to provide a remedy to which a consumer is entitled, this constitutes a “prohibited act or practice” under the Consumer Protection Act 2007.

The CCPC may pursue civil enforcement measures, including prohibition orders, undertakings, and compliance notices, in response to contraventions. Details of enforcement actions taken are published in the CCPC’s Consumer Protection List, which provides transparency and accountability.

In relation to digital services, the CCPC is actively engaged at both national and European levels. It is currently co-leading two investigations under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network into potential breaches of consumer law by online marketplaces Temu and SHEIN. These investigations focus on issues such as fake reviews, missing seller information, and unclear consumer rights.

Additionally, the CCPC participated in a coordinated international sweep of 439 mobile and online games, led by the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN). This initiative examined game design techniques—such as sneaking, nagging, and obstruction—that may manipulate consumers into making unintended purchases. The CCPC is now assessing the findings for potential breaches of Irish and EU consumer law and will take appropriate follow-up action where necessary.

These measures reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring that consumer rights are robustly protected, particularly in the evolving digital marketplace.