Consumer Dialogue
The New Consumer Agenda:
Policy Priorities and Actions to Empower Consumers in the Green and Digital Transitions

Registration and welcome coffee

• Welcome
  Conor Pope, The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent
  Moderator of the event
• The New Consumer Agenda, presentation
  Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, European Commission
• Challenges for Consumer Policy in In Ireland
  Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
• Challenges and Solutions for Consumers in the Energy Crisis
  Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Environment, Communications and Climate

What are the challenges and possible solutions for consumers in the digital transition?
Panel discussion about the implementation of the New Consumer Agenda

• Brian McHugh, Member, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
• Dermott Jewell, Policy & Council Advisor, Consumer Association of Ireland
• Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland/or representative of, Irish IT and Telecom Industries
• Celine Clark, Head of Advocacy and public affairs, Age Action Ireland
• Cliona Kelly, Assistant Professor, Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin
• Carina Törnblom, Adviser-ASN, Directorate for Consumers, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission

Moderator: Conor Pope, The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent

What are the challenges and possible solutions for consumer contributions to the green transition in the current energy crisis?
Panel discussion about the implementation of the New Consumer Agenda

• Nuala Dormer, Deputy Director of Policy & International, Competition and Consumer Protection
• Karen Trant, Director, Customer Policy & Protection, Commission for Regulation of Utilities
• Tricia Kielthy, Head of Social Justice and Policy, Society of St Vincent de Paul
• Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland
• Dara Lynott, Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Association of Ireland
• Tadhg O’Briain, Deputy Head of Unit, Local Initiatives, Just Transition, DG Energy, European Commission
• Carina Törnblom, Adviser-ASN, Directorate for Consumers, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission

Moderator: Conor Pope, The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Conclusions of the Consumer Dialogue

• Nuala Dormer, Deputy Director, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
• Carina Törnblom, Adviser-ASN, Directorate for Consumers, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission

Refreshments

Citizen Workshop - Getting Ready for the Winter

The workshop will provide Energy Advice to Citizens on what steps they can take to reduce their energy bills. Participants will be invited to follow one of the two following topics and will feature a national expert or practitioner to explain the process and share their experiences:

• Topic 1: Energy Saving lightbulb & home energy bills basics, with Eric Dennis, Dublin mentor for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Isabella Donnelly, Senior Energy & Environmental Consultant.
• Topic 2: Joining an energy community and grants, with Ruth Buggie, Programme Manager, and other colleagues from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

The format will enable the audience to engage actively with the experts and get a clear sense on what they can do to prepare for winter and to control their energy bills. Experts from NGOs that work to assist citizens with making ends meet and other key concerns will also participate. The two topics will run in parallel and in each session, adequate time will be foreseen to allow participants to ask questions.

Speakers will also include Issy Petrie, Research and Policy Officer, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Nicola Fox, National Development Officer, Money Advice and Developing Service (MABS) and Celine Clarke, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs, Age Action Ireland

Conclusions