Sanctions against euro 'profiteers' urged

The Government has been challenged to introduce effective sanctions against businesses that "profiteer" during the changeover to the euro currency.

The Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, told the Dβil the director of consumer affairs would "name and shame" any trader who displayed the euro logo, but failed to adhere to the code on dual pricing. He also said "we cannot have a police person in every corner shop checking prices". The consumer was "all-powerful" in this instance and could complain about unfair price changes, which would be acted on.

However Labour's Enterprise spokesman, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said some businesses had begun rounding up prices now.

"Our sanctions are worthless in the case of stores and businesses that are not subscribing to the code," he said, and suggested a temporary price freeze.

Mr Kitt said the negative publicity worked in the case of Glanbia which cancelled its plans to replace its one-pint carton of milk with a half-litre carton, following the public outcry.

He said Ireland had a very open competitive marketplace and had not used price control on a long-term basis for some time.

The code of practice "gives companies the opportunity to show they can be fair and will not cheat consumers." He stressed the approach of putting pressure on businesses so that they behave. He said an impressive number of businesses had signed up to the code but "I will not rule out other actions if I believe they are required".

Ms Deirdre Clune (FG, Cork South-Central) said the Minister was leaving it to consumers "to be the watchdogs and cry foul".