Giving consumers a strong voice
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) is a statutory body established by the Irish Government in May 2007. It aims to defend consumer interests and to embed a robust consumer culture in Ireland.
In March 2010, the consumer financial services related information and education function previously under the responsibility of the Financial Regulator was transferred to the NCA, offering a one-stop shop service on consumer information and education issues in the Irish economy.
The Central Bank of Ireland remains responsible for information on central bank operations and financial sector regulation. For more information visit FinancialRegulator.ie and CentralBank.ie
A strong mandate
The Government has given the NCA a very strong mandate to defend and promote consumer rights through:
- Forceful advocacy, targeted research, consumer information, education, and awareness programmes
- The systematic enforcement of consumer law
The Agency was established by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment in response to the publication of a 2005 report by the Consumer Strategy Group entitled: Make Consumers Count. This identified important deficiencies in the protection and promotion of consumer rights in Ireland.
The NCA:
- Represents the voice of the consumer
- Enforces consumer legislation
- Defends consumer interests at the highest levels of national and local decision-making
What We Do
Our work is divided into five main functions:
- Research
- Information
- Enforcement
- Advocacy
- Education and awareness
The board of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) boasts a wide range of expertise, and includes economists, business people, legal experts, consultants and consumer representatives. Read more about the members of the NCA board
Competition Authority and consumers
In the October 2008 Budget, the Minister for Finance announced plans to amalgamate the NCA and the Competition Authority, the agency responsible for enforcing Irish and European competition law.
Competition law is primarily designed to protect and benefit consumers, who have a right to purchase goods and services at a competitive price. Greater competition provides good value for consumers, stimulates business and enhances the economy as a whole.
Anti-competitive behaviour by businesses, such as price fixing, results in consumers paying higher prices without any extra benefits, and undermines the Irish economy's competitiveness.