The Government is operating double standards on consumer rights, according to Mr Michael Kilcoyne, vice-chairman of the Consumers' Association of Ireland.
Speaking at the Patrick MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, at the weekend, Mr Kilcoyne says many organisations and suppliers of services in Ireland, including the Government, seemed to have major difficulty with the obligation changing consumer legislation places on them.
"There seems to be two levels of accountability which still shields big business. Taking the recent example of the outbreak of salmonella at various locations throughout the country; if somebody had died as a result of these poisonings, would the suppliers of the product be charged with manslaughter or attempted murder? No. But if somebody is killed on the roads, the driver can be charged with manslaughter," he said.
Citing recent financial services scandals, he said there was still no evidence so far anybody will be charged with theft or fraud.
"Successive governments have shirked their responsibilities of putting in place the penalties to ensure that the consumer is protected and that those who do not live up to their obligations be penalised," he said.
Calling the single European market the greatest change facing Irish society, Mr Kilcoyne said the free movement of goods resulting from this has not constituted a level playing field.
"There is a downside to it in that we do not have the traceability of product we should have to ensure absolute consumer confidence. Traceability of product, including source and origin, must be put in place and must be guaranteed by law."
The open market has also brought benefits which only apply in theory, he added.
"You should, of course, be able to buy a car in the United Kingdom or in any other EU country and import it into Ireland, but if you do, you find you have to pay a special tax. This is anti-competitive and blocks the changes brought about by the free market and so far the Government has been able to get away with it," he said. He said the consumers' association is the watchdog of the people who use products and services "and it is just not acceptable that this blatant disregard by the Government of consumer rights can go unchallenged".