Consumer protection proposals ‘too little, too late’

THE consumer protection proposals are “too little, too late,” Fine Gael said last night. The party’s enterprise spokesman Phil Hogan said that while new supports for consumers were welcome, the Government bill came after nine years in office and did not go far enough.

It contained no commitment to keep Government-controlled prices — such as those paid for health services and utilities — at or below the rate of inflation.

Mr Hogan also warned that, given the cumbersome process involved in passing laws, there was no guarantee the Government would enact the bill before next summer’s general election.