Background to the National Consumer Agency
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) is about putting consumers first; tackling anti-consumer practices and giving a strong voice to consumers in decision-making in Ireland.
Our role
The Irish Government set up the National Consumer Agency to enforce consumer law, to promote better understanding of consumer rights and to advocate on consumer issues. Through our work we strive to:
- Empower consumers in Ireland to demand value for money and high standards of service, to challenge inappropriate commercial practices and to assert their statutory rights
- Continue and refine the important task of enforcing consumer legislation previously administered by the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs
- Establish constructive dialogue on relevant issues with regulators, relevant government departments, business and representative organisations
- Use research and advocacy to influence the development of public policy measures that affect consumers' lives
The Consumer Protection Act 2007, which established the NCA, contains important statutory protections for consumers by making illegal a wide range of unfair, misleading and aggressive commercial practices. The legislation also gives the NCA additional and powerful enforcement tools.
In addition, the legislation provides a statutory basis for the Agency to promote and approve codes of practice. It also empowers the Agency to work closely with sectoral regulators and other state agencies.
Our background
The Agency's origins can be traced to the setting up of the Consumer Strategy Group (CSG) by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in March 2004. The group's report, Making Consumers Count, was presented to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, in April 2005.
The CSG conducted the most extensive research ever carried out in Ireland into consumer issues. It concluded that consumer power is weak in Ireland compared with other developed countries. In many areas of commercial and public life, the consumer has no voice. In many areas of daily life, consumers feel that they have little power.
Ireland lags behind other countries in recognising the important role that empowered and confident consumers can play. The report recommended a shift in the balance of power towards consumers. More consumer power is good for consumers, good for business and good for the Irish economy.
The report also recommended the establishment of a new agency to champion consumer rights. Set up on an interim basis in May 2005, the NCA was established on a statutory footing with effect from May 1, 2007.
Learn more
Learn more about the Consumer Strategy Group's report
Read about the Consumer Protection Act 2007