Only 14 convictions for consumer affairs

IRELAND’S consumer affairs watchdog secured 14 convictions for breaches of consumer law even though it fielded 39,000 calls from consumers and carried out 5,000 investigations during the year.

Director of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley said her policy aimed to achieve compliance with consumer protection laws through early contact with businesses in cases where issues were identified.

Ms Foley said the number of convictions reflected success in achieving voluntary compliance, without the need to go to court, and the allocation of her office’s resources.