The appointment of an independent consumer rights enforcer was proposed in a Bill moved by the Fine Gael spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment, Mr Phil Hogan. Michael O'Regan reports.
He said the new arrangement would replace the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
"It will be charged with developing a code of conduct for service-providers, a quality mark for those service-providers who best adhere to that code and a review of the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court to ensure it best meets the needs of consumers seeking redress," Mr Hogan added.
He claimed that successive government spokespersons had shown themselves to be in complete denial about the existence of "rip-off Ireland", irrespective of the level of evidence available. Recently, he added, the Minister for Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, had claimed it was all a myth.
"Yet figures released by the CSO this week reveal the first drop in visits to Ireland for the month of September in three years."
Ireland, he said, was the most expensive country in the EU in which to live, while it was the third most expensive for goods and services. "Dublin is the fourth most expensive capital in the EU, while Ireland has fallen from fourth to 30th in the global competitiveness league."
He added that the consumer rights enforcer would "name and shame" those service-providers it believed were failing to provide consumers with an adequate standard of service. The Bill also provided for increases in fines and penalties to discourage breaches of legislation designed to protect consumers, said Mr Hogan.
He said that the appointee would be wholly independent, recommended by the Dáil and Seanad and appointed by the President.
The Minister of State for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Tony Killeen, confirmed that the consumer strategy group would report to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Martin, within weeks. He could be expected to address any gaps or inadequacies in existing consumer policy.