A new National Consumer Agency will be up and running by the end of the summer, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin said today.
The new statutory body will champion the cause of the Irish consumer and is intended to combat the so-called "rip-off" culture.
Mr Martin said he was "determined the new agency will act as a forceful advocate for the consumer and that it will have the necessary powers, functions and support to challenge vested interests and to ensure that the consumers voice is heard."
Mr Martin said it would be established immediately with an Interim Board headed up by the Chairperson of the Consumer Strategy Group (CSG), Ms Ann Fitzgerald, who is also chief executive of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. The existing Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, will also sit on the interim board. The new agency will incorporate her existing statutory powers.
It was a central recommendation of the CSG, which was set up over a year ago to advise Government on a new national consumer policy strategy. It followed widespread concern over current consumer policy and the belief that Irish consumers were not getting a fair deal.
The group's other main recommendation is the abolition of the Groceries Order which bans below-cost selling. The grocer's group RGDATA is strongly opposed to this recommendation.
Mr Martin rejected revoking the order and said there will instead be a two-month consultation process on its future, beginning tomorrow with the placement of newspaper advertisments inviting submissions.
Mr Martin said he will immediately set up a high level inter-departmental committee to examine the various recommendations in the CSG Report with a view to producing an implementation plan within three months.
He paid tribute to the work of the CSG and said it will benefit not just consumers but also add to the development and success of the economy and society.
The CSG report can be viewed in full at www.irishconsumer.ie.