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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Consumer rip-offs

Summary

Senator Leyden called for a debate on consumer rights and “rip-off Ireland,” citing overcharging by directory enquiries and cold-call sales practices, and also criticised cross-border shopping promotion.

I request the Leader of the House, Senator Buttimer, to arrange a debate on consumer rights and the question of rip-off Ireland. I note that Fine Gael has dropped that from its website. It used to have a campaign one time, when we were in power, called rip-off Ireland. It suddenly disappeared from the Fine Gael website, probably never to be reconsidered.

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That was a long time ago.

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I would like to examine the issue of people being ripped-off. I will reintroduce a campaign, which I launched in the House previously and called Name and Shame - we have that privilege in this House - to be a consumer watchdog. I bring to the Leader's attention that people ring 11811 for directory enquiries. The charge is €2.74 for that call, but Pure Telecom, an Irish company with two directors whom I will not name and which was ripping me off, is charging €5.50 for that privilege. That is a rip-off. That is a 100% increase. I am saying to consumers, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." Pure Telecom representatives rang me and, in my innocence, I changed from Eir to that company.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator should address the Chair. I do not like him turning around and addressing the cameras.

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I am addressing the House as well. It is hard to do both.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator can do it through the Chair.

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I am trying to do both at the same time. I got that cold call. I thought it was a great offer but they did not tell me what was between the lines and that I would be charged €5.50 for one call to 11811. I am saying to consumers to be wary of such cold calls coming in and making the subscriber an offer to change electricity provider, telephone provide or buy this or that. There is something wrong. I will use this House, as long as I am a Member, to expose such matters.

I also appeal to RTE broadcasters to refrain from promoting shopping north of the Border. They should remember who is paying the licence fee. We south of the Border pay €160 per year for that honour. These great offers north of the Border are a myth in most cases but those going up there think otherwise. They should also check their insurance cover that they are insured to drive north of the Border because, whether we like it or not, they are leaving the State. I do not like it but they are technically, from an insurance point of view, leaving it.

These are the kinds of issues I will bring to the attention of consumers. The Consumer Association of Ireland and the National Consumer Agency should wake up. They are not doing the job they were set up to do. We have to do their job now in this House. I will continue to do so, now that Fine Gael has decided to drop the rip-off Ireland campaign.

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