Gift Vouchers
Seanad Éireann — 2022-01-26
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James Browne (FF), Wexford

I thank Senator Maria Byrne for raising this important issue. According to the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019, the term "gift voucher" means any voucher, coupon, document or instrument, including in electronic form, that is intended to be used as a substitute for money in the payment in whole or in part for goods or services, or otherwise exchanged for goods or services. This legislation, which provides requirements in relation to gift voucher contracts, was brought into Irish law in December 2019 by the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Many vouchers or gift cards purchased and used today now meet the definition of "electronic money" and are subject to regulation under the European Communities (Electronic Money) Regulations 2011, as amended, commonly referred to as the EMR.
Officials in the Department of Finance will consider the issue of reducing balance fees as part of future discussions on the electronic money directive.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2022-01-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:50:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-01-26