John Shine has been appointed as the acting Director of Consumer Affairs.
Mr Shine is taking on the post in "an interim capacity" and replaces Carmel Foley, who resigned from the post on Friday to take up a position on the Garda Ombudsman Commission.
He was appointed by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin and will ensure "that the enforcement of consumer protection law can continue pending the reorganisation of the functions of that Office within the new National Consumer Agency," a statement released this afternoon said.
Mr Shine had previously been a Principal Officer in the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA).
In his first public statement, Mr Shine welcomed the prosecution of two Kilkenny publicans for failing to display drink prices.
Aogain Limited, owners of Egan's Bar, 45/46 John Street Kilkenny, pleaded guilty over failing to display a 16-item price list on 1st and 3rd June 2005; the company was fined €100 in respect of both counts.
Linley Taverns Limited, owners of Dempsey's, 61 John Street, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to the same offence and was similarly fined.
Today's prosecutions bring to ten the number of publicans successfully prosecuted by the ODCA for failing to display drink price lists during the Smithwick's Cat Laughs Comedy Festival last June.
Commenting on the cases, Mr Shine said: "Publicans need to be aware that they have a legal obligation to provide accurate pricing information to their customers, and consumers need to be aware that they have a right to accurate pricing information at the entrances to a licensed premises."