We have a consumers’ group already, minister

IT WAS with a sense of déjà vu I read that the Tánaiste, speaking at Davos, announced her intention to “appoint a small group to advise [her] on consumer issues and to provide a national voice for the consumer, independent of vested interests”.

The National Consumer Advisory Council was set up by the then minister for industry and commerce in October 1973. It was made up of representatives from industry, the retail trade, trade unions, farmers and consumers.

The Consumer Information Act, 1978, and the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, resulted from its recommendations. This, in turn, had taken in proposals submitted by the Consumers’ Association of Ireland, one of whose members, Joan Morrison, was the first chairman of the NCAC.

The present successful operation of the Small Claims Court is also attributable in no small measure to its work. The Council was summarily disbanded in 1984, when it was still carrying out sterling work.

As to the “national voice for the consumer, independent of vested interests”, the Consumers’ Association, an independent and non-profit making organisation, has been endeavouring to provide that for over 30 years.

CAI has also consistently lobbied the government throughout that time for funding which would enable it to do this on a larger scale than has been possible on limited resources to date.

Margaret Gorman,

Former NCAC and CAI member,

107, Braemor Road,

Dublin 14.