Consultation On Future Of Consumer Council Deadline Approaching

The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) launched the consultation on the future of the Consumer Council in October and options being considered include transferring its powers to another body. 

The Consumer Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Aodhan O’Donnell said: “The Consumer Council wants to see the best possible protection for consumers, now and in the future.  We are all consumers so it is important to make your voice heard.  Not everyone will be in a position to submit a lengthy response but an e-mail or letter to DETI, simply stating the number of the option you would like to see is sufficient.” 

The Consumer Council is an independent organisation.  It lobbies to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers by making their voice heard and making it count.  It investigates consumers’ and businesses’ complaints in transport, water and energy.  The Consumer Council also educates consumers on their rights and responsibilities and provides them with the skills and resources they need to make good decisions about their money.

“The Consumer Council believes that as the most vulnerable in our society continue to struggle, particularly with high energy and food prices, it is important that we strengthen what is currently in place rather than undermine or dismantle it,” added Aodhan.

More information on the consultation is available on the Consumer Council’s website – http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/future-of-consumer-council/.   Consumers can e-mail responses to DETI at consumeraffairs@detini.gov.uk.  “If people wish to copy the Consumer Council into correspondence with the Department, we would be very pleased to receive their feedback,” concluded Aodhan.  The Consumer Council can be e-mailed at info@consumercouncil.org.uk or contacted at Elizabeth House, 116 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NY.