Consumer Laws 'Inappropriate', Says Bruton

Changes will be made to consumer law in a bid to modernise the existing law and bring it in line with current consumer habits.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton announced the major overhaul saying that the existing law "dates from the late 19th century".

He described it as "totally inappropriate for the era of the smartphone and large supermarket".

Minister Bruton hopes to put into action new law that will help protect the shopper.

This includes a ban on excessive payment fees; in other words- fees cannot be higher than what the seller is charged for processing the payment.

Meanwhile a ban on "small print" will aim to make things clearer for the consumer with minimum font sizes and mandatory colour such as black.

Significantly a new rule that increases the time period from seven to 14 days in which consumers can withdraw from a purchase made on the internet has also been proposed.

Speaking at the launch of the report the Minister said: "By consolidating and reforming the plethora of laws in the area to bring about a comprehensive Consumer Rights Act we will create a structure that will be appropriate for the 21st-century consumer market, will be simpler to understand, will create clearer rules for businesses, and will bring about substantial improvements for consumers."

Elsewhere Drugs Minister Roisin Shorthall said today that she wants to clampdown on supermarkets who sell cheap alcohol to attract consumers.

Minister Shorthall said that she has sought legal advice on setting a minimum price for alcohol.

She also wants to cut the number of outlets licensed to sell drink.

The Minister made the comments at the launch of a new report from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs which found that children of parents who abuse drink or drugs are more likely to have problems with mental health, school and addiction.

(LB/CD)