'Supersize small print' campaign moves to Leinster House

A Dublin radio station’s crusade to supersize small print in consumer documents comes to Leinster House this week.

Q102 will be meeting TDs and Senators at the all-party Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade & Employment Committee on Wednesday.

The station wants to ban the use of small print in the terms and conditions sections of all business contracts.

Q102’s flagship show, On The QT, began its 'Make small Print BIG Print' campaign after listener complaints on the issue.

A Dublin mother claimed she bought a car on finance in 2005 only to find out later that she was also sold life insurance in the small print.

Show presenter Ruth Kelly said: “An increasing number of listeners contacted the show complaining about being misled and even ripped off by the often contradictory small print in contracts and subscriptions.

“We want to ensure consumers avoid getting trapped into agreements through the use of obscure and unwelcome terms and conditions.”

The campaign wants terms and conditions on all contracts to be no smaller than size 10 font compared with the size six font which is widely in use.

The information should be written in plain English which is easily understood by all.

Station CEO Scott Williams said: “I hope that the government will stand up and take notice of this issue now as all that is required is a clear and unwavering decision to outlaw the use of small print once and for all.”

The campaign is supported by the Association of Optometrists of Ireland, the Consumer Association of Ireland, the Small Firms Association and the Dublin City Centre Business Association.

A presentation prepared by Mr Williams, Ms Kelly and On the QT producer Venetia Quick will be delivered to the Committee.