Madam, - It is something of a relief that the current Government has finally accepted that consumers are increasingly being ripped off in this country.
However, I fail to understand why it was necessary to establish yet another Consumer Rights Body as announced by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney on March 10th and reported in your paper the following day.
To my mind it would have been much more effective and efficient to introduce emergency legislation to immediately empower existing bodies such as the Office of Consumer Affairs to address public concerns about cartels, over-pricing, vested interests, increasing evidence of bad value for money and unacceptable standards of customer service in this part of Europe.
To have to wait nine months before the new Consumer Strategy Group reports is yet another political dodge and an unnecessary waste of taxpayers' money.
Consumers, including visitors to this country, merit action now from those who purport to be concerned about their rights - not another committee! - Yours, etc.,
PETER GAUGHAN, Monkstown, Co Dublin.