2.—(1) In this Act—

“Act of 1893” means the Sale of Goods Act, 1893;

“business” includes profession and the activities of any State authority or local authority;

F1["consumer-hire agreement" has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995;]

“deals as consumer” shall be construed in accordance with section 3;

“fair and reasonable” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (3);

F2["hire-purchase agreement" has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995;]

“the Minister” means the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism;

“service” does not include meteorological or aviation services provided by the Minister for Transport or anything done under a contract of service;

“State authority” means a Minister of the Government, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland and the Irish Land Commission.

(2) A reference in this Act to the supply of a service includes reference to the rendering or provision of a service or facility and to an offer to supply.

(3) Where, under section 13, 31, 40 or 46 of this Act or under section 55 of the Act of 1893 (inserted by section 22 of this Act), a question arises as to whether a term, agreement or provision is fair and reasonable regard shall be had to the criteria set out in the Schedule in deciding it.