The Consumers’ Association of Ireland  
 Over 40 Years of Independent Representation     
1966 – 2009.

The Consumers' Association of Ireland is a wholly independent, non-profit,
              non-government organisation registered with charitable status. CHY No. 8559.

James Doorley Chairperson 087 6483282 Dermott Jewell CEO   087 230 7496

EMBARGO to Midnight 1 September

 PRESS RELEASE

Consumers’ Association of Ireland recommends a Yes Vote on the Lisbon Treaty

Lisbon will make European Union more consumer friendly!
The Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) is recommending a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum on October 2nd next. Having reflected on and reviewed the Treaty we have come to the conclusion that ratification of the Treaty is in the interests of Irish and European consumers.  

We believe that Lisbon will make the European Union institutions more transparent, democratic, and coherent. This is good news because it will further enable the Union to deal with consumer issues and make the internal market more consumer friendly. It will also strengthen the hand of consumers and their representatives against the power and influence of big business and vested interests. Indeed unlike the decision makers here at home, the EU institutions have always recognised that those who pay should have a say, stated James Doorley, Chairperson.

CAI believes that a number of changes will help to rebalance the single market and EU laws more in favour of the consumer and end user. For example the Treaty incorporates the Charter on Fundamental Rights, which includes Articles 38 which states that “Union policies shall ensure a high level of consumer protection”. It also enhances the powers of the European Parliament in the decision making processes. As directly elected representatives of the people the active involvement of MEPs in decisions increases the voice of consumer representatives and ensures that the needs of consumers are taken on board. The legal guarantee that each member state will retain a Commissioner, is not only good news for Ireland, it is also good news for consumers. This is because we are likely to retain a Consumer Affairs Commissioner who is dedicated solely to addressing and protecting consumer protection.
The Treaty also strengthens the role of national parliaments, therefore ensuring that the Oireachtas will have a greater role in supervising and monitoring proposed EU legislation, such as the draft EU Consumer Rights Directive which is currently being debated. 

Dermott Jewell, CEO of the Association added that, “When considering how to vote I recommend Irish consumers to think hard on their positive position as users of a single currency, free to travel, study, buy and live wherever and whenever they wish right across Europe. That has been achieved through communities working together and availing of opportunities together. Consumers’, we believe, will continue to see benefits under Lisbon and therefore should vote Yes”.

The EU has adopted many directives and regulations which have benefited consumers, however much more needs to be done more quickly because the market is changing and changing rapidly. In our view Lisbon will enable the EU to better protect and safeguard consumer rights in areas such as;

• Cross border trade and ecommerce, where we need international institutions like the EU to legislate and protect consumers who buy across borders.
• Tackling the power of big business. It will better enable the EU to act and take on the powerful multinationals when they abuse their dominant position or treat consumers unfairly. In the last number of years the EU has taken on giants like Microsoft, has capped the mobile phone roaming charged by the telecommunications corporations and has tackled unfair and misleading practises by airlines.
• Encouraging competition, where the EU has also encouraged and forced member states to open up key segments of the economy to competition, such as electricity, communications and transport. Much more needs to be done here to sweep away old and bloated monopolies that are keeping prices high and service and quality low. 
• Expanding the scope of consumer redress. The development of an EU wide small claims procedure which will make it easier for individual consumers to seek redress when they purchase a product or service in another jurisdiction. The EU is currently also exploring other consumer measures such as collective redress, more commonly known as group actions which would be an important tool in enhancing consumer rights.

While acknowledging the good work being done by the EU, there are still areas where traders/business interests predominate, where competition is weak and where consumers are not adequately protected. In our view the EU needs to do more to protect consumers in areas such as financial regulation, food labelling and digital rights. We believe that the Lisbon Treaty will give the EU the tools it needs to act on these and other issues in the interests of Irish and indeed European consumers. That is why we support a Yes vote on October 2nd, concluded James Doorley, Chairperson.

ENDS.