Fine Gael has called for the appointment of a "consumer rights enforcer" with powers equivalent to those of the ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly.
The party said yesterday that such an office should replace the office of director of consumer affairs, which Fine Gael says is outdated and ineffective.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the enforcer should be empowered to prosecute retailers and impose fines of up to €3,000 for the non-display of price lists in petrol stations, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
The current maximum fine available to the director of consumer affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, is €127. There was no immediate comment from Ms Foley after Fine Gael said consumers needed a more pro-active champion of their rights.
But while Mr Kenny, accused the Government of adopting a "softly softly" approach on prices, his party is against price controls. In addition, the party's enterprise spokesman, Mr Phil Hogan, wants the retention of the Groceries Order, which prohibits below-cost selling.
Instead, the party is seeking support for a Dáil private member's motion to establish the office of consumer rights enforcer. It also wants to increase the powers of the Small Claims Court, which currently deals with claims for up to €1,000, by allowing it deal with claims of up to €5,000.
Fine Gael wants to reserve a seat at the table during the social partnership process for such an enforcer. "It is clear that recent agreements have been dominated by the producers with consumers being given little thought," the party said.
Mr Kenny said the "rip-off" culture was damaging the Irish economy, which was now the most expensive in Europe. He said the enforcer should conduct regular price surveys and "name and shame" retailers who charge excessive prices.