The new National Consumer Agency will have the necessary powers and support to challenge vested interests on behalf of the consumer, Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin promised yesterday.
Announcing the membership of the agency's interim board, he said the agency would be a forceful advocate for the consumer. The interim board, he said, would immediately begin to develop initiatives in the areas of consumer advocacy, research and awareness.
It is to work alongside the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, whose statutory role in enforcing consumer rights is to continue until the new agency is established by law.
The establishment of the new agency was recommended by the Consumer Strategy Group, which reported to Mr Martin earlier this year. He has delayed making a decision that the Groceries Order be abolished. The order prevents retailers from selling below wholesale invoice prices.
Mr Martin announced a two-month consultation process on the issue last month. That is currently under way and interested parties have until July 31s to submit their views.
One of the first tasks of the new agency's interim board, he said yesterday, would be to prepare a submission "articulating a consumer view" on the Groceries Order. The strategy group's report found that Irish consumers were not getting a fair deal and it proposed reforms in a number of areas, including pubs, pharmacies and transport as well as the retail sector.
It recommended the National Consumer Agency be established to inform and advocate on behalf of consumers as well as to enforce legislation in this area.
As previously announced, the agency's interim board is to be chaired by Ann Fitzgerald, chief executive of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. She also chaired the Consumer Strategy Group.
The other interim board members, announced yesterday, are: Carmel Foley, director of consumer affairs; Gillian Kelly, consumer representative; Marie Barry, consumer representative; Alex Schuster, lecturer and barrister, School of Law, TCD; Dr Edward Shinnick, lecturer, Department of Economics, UCC; Stephen Costelloe, chairman, General Consumer Council of Northern Ireland; Eddie Hobbs, consumer advocate; Inez Bailey, chief executive, National Adult Literacy Agency; Robin O'Sullivan, president, Chambers of Commerce Ireland; Deirdre McDonnell, managing director, Safety Solutions; John Fingleton, chairman, Competition Authority.