The European Parliament elections will take place across the EU between 23-26 May 2019. In Ireland, we will vote on Friday, 24 May 2019. As part of our – European Movement Ireland – campaign to help raise awareness amongst the Irish public about the European elections, we will be following the story of 6 Irish voices on 6 different topics and discovering why their chosen topic matters in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Meet Irene…
CONSUMER RIGHTS
Profile
- Name: Irene
- County: Co. Roscommon
- Occupation: Nurse
- Age: 50
Why it’s important to engage in the upcoming elections on the issue of consumer rights
The European Union is vital for protecting our rights as consumers, as the European Single Market gives us protections that we would not have outside it. Like so many of us, I am now doing most of my shopping online. It gives me peace of mind to know that, because of European Union regulations, retailers must ensure that the product I order from a website delivers on what it promises. When I am going on holidays with my family from any airport located in the European Union or arriving in the EU with an EU, Icelandic Norwegian or Swiss airline, the European Union also ensures that I have protections if my flights are cancelled or delayed.
If I am ever unhappy with the services or products from a European Union trader, I know that the European Union has also provided me with The Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform as a streamlined means of resolving my dispute. These protections that the European Union gives consumers of all kinds is one of the many reasons my vote in the 2019 European Parliament Elections is crucial and why I am encouraging all of my friends and family to use their vote too!