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National Consumer Agency (NCA)

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) is an Irish government agency which was established in 2007 to defend consumer interests and to lay the foundation for a robust consumer culture in Ireland.

Contents 1.	Objectives 2.	Background 3.	Functions 4.	Board members 5.	External links

Objectives

The NCA aims to:
 * Empower consumers to look for value for money and high standards of service
 * Empower consumers to challenge inappropriate commercial practices and to assert their statutory rights
 * Enforce consumer legislation
 * Establish constructive dialogue on relevant issues with regulators, relevant government departments, business and representative organisations

The NCA does this work this work through:
 * Consumer information, education, and awareness programmes
 * Forceful advocacy and targeted research
 * Enforcing consumer law

Background

The NCA's origins can be traced to the setting up of the Consumer Strategy Group (CSG) in March 2004.

The group's report – “Making Consumers Count” – was presented to the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, in April 2005.

The CSG concluded that consumer power was weak in Ireland compared with other developed countries, and recommended a shift in the balance of power towards consumers.

The report also recommended the establishment of a new agency to champion consumer rights. Set up on an interim basis in May 2005, the NCA was established on a statutory footing with effect from May 1, 2007.

Functions

The NCA's brief encompasses five main functions:

1.	Research The NCA uses its research to:
 * Identify themes for awareness-raising campaigns
 * Support advocacy and lobbying programmes
 * Identify gaps in consumers’ awareness
 * Identify weakness in current consumer policy
 * Assist in enforcement activities

2.	Information Consumers rely on good information to make informed choices.

The NCA’s information services include:


 * A consumer website – www.ConsumerConnect.ie – that provides consumers with information in relation to basic rights and updates on topical consumer issues
 * A corporate website – www.NCA.ie – that provides those who supply products and services to consumers with information in relation to their obligations under consumer law and updates on topical consumer issues
 * Specific information campaigns on television, radio and across other media
 * A consumer helpline on a national lo-call number 1890 432 432. (Note that the rates charged for the use of 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers).
 * A Shoppers’ Rights Card, available from the National Consumer Agency and participating retailers
 * Consumer Booklets on the following topics:
 * A Guide to Package Holidays
 * A Guide to Advertising and the Consumer
 * A Guide to Toy Safety
 * A Guide to the Small Claims Court
 * A Guide to Consumer Law and Prices
 * A Guide to the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980
 * A Guide to the National Consumer Agency
 * A Guide to Buying A Car
 * Property Management Companies and You

3.	Enforcement The legislation underpinning the NCA – The Consumer Protection Act 2007 – equips Ireland with some of the strongest and most modern consumer protection law in the world.

This Act gives the NCA powerful enforcement tools including prohibition notices, compliance notices, on-the-spot fines for offences relating to price display, and the ability to “name and shame” with the publication of the names of non-compliant traders.

The Act also gives effect, in Irish law, to the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, which provides the NCA with the basis for tackling a range of unfair and misleading commercial practices.

4.Advocacy The NCA’s role as consumer advocate requires involvement in consumer affairs at many levels.

It places strong emphasis on establishing good relationships with legislators, government departments and other relevant bodies who can influence and shape emerging legislation and public policy initiatives.

Advocacy is also important at local level in implementing relevant legislation or policy guidelines.

5.Education and awareness The NCA’s education and awareness services help consumers to


 * Make good purchasing decisions
 * Demand higher service levels
 * Avoid dispute escalation
 * Understand the role of the Small Claims Court and the legal system in vindicating consumer rights

Online corporate guides are available to businesses on www.NCA.ie outlining the core aspects of legislation with which traders must comply, depending on their areas of activity.

Board members

The board members of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) include economists, business people, legal experts, consultants and consumer representatives. The board members are:

Steven Costello (Chair) Steven Costello was appointed NCA chairperson in May 2007. He is a former chief executive of Marks & Spencer in Ireland and was previously chairman of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland from January 2003.

Ann Fitzgerald (Chief Executive) Ann Fitzgerald chaired the NCA on an interim basis and is a former chief executive of the Irish Association of Investment Managers.

Inez Bailey Inez Bailey is director of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). She has worked extensively in the area of adult and community education.

Marie Barry Ring Marie Barry Ring spent 20 years working with the St Vincent De Paul Society in Cork and has been a volunteer with the Blackrock Citizens Information Centre for the past 14 years.

Patrick Desmond Patrick Desmond has been employed in the private sector, health care industry for 21 years. He is also involved with the Cork GAA’s County Board on a voluntary basis.

Eddie Hobbs Previously a director and finance spokesperson for the Consumers' Association of Ireland, Eddie Hobbs is an author, businessman and broadcaster specialising in personal finance, investment planning and competition matters.

Celia Larkin Celia Larkin is the proprietor of Beauty at Blue Door, a successful beauty salon business. She also serves on the board of the voluntary housing agency, Cara.

Deirdre McDonnell Deirdre McDonnell is managing director of OTS Ltd, which specialises in the provision of health and safety training to public bodies, semi-state bodies and multinationals.

Neilus Moriarty Neilus Moriarty is involved in many community and voluntary organisations in the Killarney area and currently manages direct provision accommodation centres for asylum seekers and refugees in Killarney.

Robin O’Sullivan Robin O’Sullivan is Chairman of O'Sullivan PR and has also served as a board member of the Irish Film Board and director of the Cork Film Festival.

William Prasifka William Prasifka has chaired the Competition Authority since April 2006 and is also deputy chairman of the Fullbright Commission. He was the Commissioner for Aviation Regulation from 1999 to 2006.

Alex Schuster Alex Schuster lectures in consumer, competition and commercial law at Trinity College. He is also a member of the European Consumer Law Enforcement Forum in Brussels.

Dr Edward Shinnick Dr Shinnick is a senior lecturer in Economics at University College Cork. His research areas include competition in markets and industries, competition policy and regulation.

External links

ConsumerConnect.ie – the NCA’s consumer site NCA.ie – the NCA’s corporate site for businesses, researchers and media ConsumerStrategyGroup.ie - the group's report entitled “Making Consumers Count”