The number of prosecutions undertaken last year by the Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, is inadequate, claims the State's main independent consumer group.
The comments by the Consumers Association of Ireland chairman, Mr Dermott Jewell, were made following the release this week of the annual report of the Director of Consumer Affairs for 1999.
According to the report, 22,424 phone queries to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) were recorded by consumers throughout the Republic and 1,767 cases were investigated.
Last year, the ODCA successfully pursued cases against Tesco and MCD Management Ltd for violation of consumer laws.
Considering the number of queries received and investigations undertaken, the level of prosecutions was inadequate, said Mr Jewell.
"Percentage-wise, it gives the impression that perhaps there is a need for less leniency and more bite," he said.
Some 1,320 official investigations were launched in 1998, leading to 29 convictions.
Last year the supermarket chain Tesco was fined £3,800 after pleading guilty to ODCA accusations of incorrect charging at supermarket checkouts.
A judgment of £300 was awarded against one of the State's largest concert promoters, MCD Management Ltd, for failing to advertise booking and credit-card charges for a concert in Slane, Co Meath, in 1998.
Despite the investigations, Ms Foley should make more of an effort to keep consumers informed, says Mr Jewell.
"If prosecutions are the only means through which consumers become aware of poor practice, there should be a listing of all complaints received and it should be posted on a fairly regular basis," he said.
The majority of queries made to Ms Foley's office last year related to clothing, goods and services, and motor vehicles.
In the report Ms Foley says she will continue to take court proceedings where necessary.
"In other instances, I believe that through advice and information we can empower consumers, whether in ensuring that they will have the knowledge required to make informed choices or to take action themselves in the event of faulty goods or services," she says in the report.
More than 27 per cent of the cases investigated last year related to misleading advertising. As a result of its findings, the ODCA started a programme aimed at increasing compliance with the advertising provisions of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995.
Other investigations included 315 product-safety cases and 265 queries related to price displays.
The report covers Ms Foley's first full year in office.