Group asks for public input on consumer issues

A group set up by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, to improve consumer rights and put an end to "rip-off Ireland" is appealing to consumers to submit their views on any consumer-related issues they believe are important.

The Consumer Strategy Group announced its call for submissions from the public as it launched its new website, www.irishconsumer.ie, last week.

The group is asking individuals, companies, organisations and interest groups to post or email submissions to help it develop a national consumer policy.

The body is also conducting a separate research study on consumer attitudes and will report to the Tánaiste in December.

The Republic's consumer policy lags behind other countries such as Britain, US, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand when it comes to consulting consumers in policy decisions, the group said.

Ms Ann Fitzgerald, chairwoman of the group, said she expected a good response to the group's local and national advertisements for submissions.

"Customers must move from being observers of the consumer policy process to being players," Ms Fitzgerald said.

"This report will not just be about discussing rip-off Ireland again. It's about developing policy recommendations for Government, outlining how consumers will get a real voice and a real choice, how they can have trust and confidence that their interests are properly protected and effective representation and redress available to them."

The group will focus on six key areas: access, safeguards, advice and support, redress, consumer power and the relationship between consumers and businesses.

"I think there might be a fear in business generally of customers and customer demands," Ms Fitzgerald said, adding that she was "quite sure" that some of the submissions would involve complaints about how financial institutions treat consumers.

Other issues that may be addressed include the effectiveness of the Small Claims Court and the input consumers have in planning decisions.

"If you're looking at the question of access, it's not just access to information, it's access to the goods you want at the quality you want, where you want," Ms Fitzgerald said.

However, she added that the group was currently at the information-gathering stage and the list of potential consumer topics was "as long as a piece of string".

The last date for submissions is July 9th.