With regard to transport, The Order gives us powers to make recommendations on any matter affecting road or railway passenger transport services and facilities in Northern Ireland, and services and facilities for passengers travelling to and from Northern Ireland.
This remit has been extended through further legislation and by formal agreement with regulators, with a Memorandum of Understanding with DfI recognising the Consumer Council’s role as set out in the Transport Acts and Consumer Orders.
The Transport Act 2011 also requires that in deciding whether to issue or refuse a private bus operators permit or to attach conditions to a permit, DfI shall have regard to any recommendations made by the Consumer Council.
The Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 requires airports to provide adequate facilities for consultation with the Consumer Council (as a member of the Airport Users Committee) in respect to any matter concerning the management or administration of the airport which affects consumer interests. The Consumer Council is also required to be consulted on any matter relating to consumer affairs under the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Rail Passengers Rights and Obligations (Designation and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017, legislates for the Consumer Council as the designated body for the purpose of Article 30(2) of Regulation 1371/2007, to which any passenger may submit a complaint about an alleged contravention of the Regulation.
We are the designated complaints handling body for EU Regulation 1107/2006, (rights of disabled passengers), EC 261/2004 (cancelled or delayed flights) and EU Regulation EC 1177/2010 (maritime passenger rights), which have been transposed into UK law.