Fine Gael has unveiled a consumer package which it claims will reduce the cost of living and strengthen shoppers’ rights. The proposals include an immediate review of electricity and gas prices, a ban on surcharges for all debit and credit card payments, and a freeze on Government charges.
It also wants to reverse most VAT and excise charges introduced in the last Budget, abolish expiry dates on gift vouchers and force utility regulators to publish detailed reasons for price increase and hold public hearings.
Consumers would have the right to petition regulators to review prices and a new arbitration system would be set up for disputes between consumers and businesses. Under the "Finding Real Value" package, the threshold for the Small Claims Court would be increased from €2,000 to €12,000.
Speaking at the launch of the proposals, the party's enterprise and employment spokesman, Leo Varadkar, accused the Government of failing to take real action on the cost of living.
"In the midst of the deepest recession in a generation, consumers are left wondering why the cost of living is still so high. Rip-off Ireland is still a fact of life. Prices in Ireland are still much higher than the UK and the rest of Europe. Electricity and gas prices bear no relation to international rates. The high cost of goods and services are hurting consumers and families in their pockets."
"With unemployment at almost 10 per cent, 17 new taxes in Budget 2009, and incomes set to fall, tackling the cost of living has never been so important. Our new proposals will bring prices down, and give consumers real clout."
Mr Varadkar said most of the measures could be introduced in a matter of weeks.
Other proposals include a right for consumers to a refund for extended breaks in services such as electricity, multi-channel TV or telephone and the merging of the National Consumer Agency and Competition Authority into a new body, to be known as the Irish Fair Trading Authority (IFTA).
Mr Varadkar was the first person to propose the merging of the two bodies, which later became Government policy in the Budget last November. He said the new IFTA should have "real powers", including monitoring tax and excise, a place at the social partnership table and a role in ensuring that currency fluctuations are passed on to consumers.
"It has taken the worst recession in history for inflation to start falling. Four years ago the Consumer Strategy Group made a series of recommendations. Less than a third have been implemented by the Government. Countless Competition Authority reports are gathering dust on Government shelves. And the ineffectiveness of Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has convinced rip-off merchants that they won't be tackled."