Joe saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for a second-hand car which was for sale in Murray's Garage - Leaving Cert Business - Question 1 - 2012

1. Offer: A voluntary proposal or promise made by one party (offeror) to another party (offeree) which must be accepted by the offeree to create a legally binding contract. In this case, the offer was made when the car was advertised at Murray’s Garage.

2. Acceptance: This refers to the assent or agreement to the terms of the offer by the offeree. In this scenario, Michael accepted Joe's offer of €9,000 for the car when they agreed on the price.

3. Consideration: This is the value exchanged in a contract, meaning each party must provide something of value to the other. Here, Joe pays €9,000, and in return, he receives the car.

1. Performance: This occurs when both parties in a contract fulfill their obligations as agreed, completing the contract as intended. For example, Joe would take possession of the car after paying Michael.

2. Frustration: This term arises when an unforeseen event prevents the contract from being fulfilled, such as the unexpected death of one party or a significant change making the contract impossible to execute.

Murray's Garage breached the Consumer Protection Act, 2007 by providing misleading information regarding the condition of the car. The advertisement stated that the car had 32,000 kilometres on the clock, but upon inspection, it was discovered that the actual mileage was 62,000 kilometres. This misrepresentation can lead to legal issues under the Act as it protects consumers from false claims.

1. The National Consumer Agency (NCA) aims to protect consumer rights by informing consumers of their rights, such as publishing guides and providing a consumer phone service or website.

2. The NCA enforces consumer law by investigating complaints against traders, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and taking necessary actions against violations.