asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps that have been taken in this country to protect consumers from misleading advertising.

Although a number of enactments contain provisions relating to misleading advertising, it is recognised that these do not afford adequate protection to the consumer. A Bill to remedy inadequacies in the present legislation and incorporating recommendations of the National Consumer Advisory Council is in an advanced stage of preparation. Protection for the consumer is also provided by the voluntary code of the Advertising Association and the Institute of Advertising Practitioners. The draft EEC directive on misleading and unfair advertising, in the preparation of which Irish officials are participating, should also improve the consumer's position.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary say that legislation dealing with this is at an advanced stage of preparation? Is he aware that in a newspaper announcement last week the Irish Housewives' Association said a Bill was to be introduced this session? How could they have been misled to that extent?

I do not know if they were misled, but the situation is that legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation and will be introduced as soon as it is completed. In that sense, the statement was not incorrect except that they may have been a little optimistic about the time.

They would be working on information available to them from the Government. Can the Parliamentary Secretary state positively that this legislation will be introduced and circulated during the present session?

Before Easter?

Before the summer recess.

I will try to the best of my ability to ensure that it will be.

Is it the responsibility of the Parliamentary Secretary?

Yes.