The Government has announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening consumer protection.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, has published the text of the Consumer Protection Bill 2007.
The legislation, which will put the National Consumer Agency on a statutory footing, is expected to come before the Oireachtas before Easter.
Minister Martin said the new bill will provide consumers with the highest level of protection in their dealings with business.
The legislation will empower the NCA with a wide range of enforcement powers to ensure all businesses comply with their obligations to consumers.
It provides for the imposition of fines of up to €60,000 or imprisonment for up to 18 months for a first offence.
The agency will also have the power to issue compliance notices and issue on the spot fines on errant traders.
The NCA will be required to publish details of all traders who have faced enforcement action on a regular basis.
The legislation will also give courts the power to order offenders to pay compensation to consumers.
The bill covers a wide range of activity including the misleading of consumers over price, the persistent unwanted calling of consumers and the operation of prize competitions that require consumers to make a payment or incur a loss before they can claim a prize.
It also outlaws pyramid selling schemes, making offenders liable to fines of up to €150,000 and five years' imprisonment.
The legislation will give the NCA the power to advise Government on legislation that impacts on consumers and will interact with other regulatory bodies to promote the interests of consumers.
