The Tánaiste has been told by Labour she should introduce price controls in pubs after it emerged prices were raised to co-incide with last weekend's rugby match in Dublin.
The Director of Consumer Affairs published the names of six well-known Dublin city centre pubs which increased their prices especially for the match between Ireland and Scotland at Lansdowne Road.
Ms Carmel Foley underscored her anger at price hikes of up to €1 for a pint of stout, beer and lager in some cases. Ms Foley said her inspectors compared prices on display at a total of 10 licensed premises on Friday of last week, and on Saturday, the day of the Six Nations fixture won by Ireland to secure the Triple Crown.
She reported: "Six out of the 10 premises had increased their prices substantially - with the largest being as much as one euro for a pint of stout in Maguires, Lower Baggot Street.
"While there is no breach of the legislation - once they display the prices they are charging - consumers should be made aware of this practice.
"Customers may also be interested to note the names of the pubs which did not display increased prices.
"I fail to see the justification for such price increases."
The pubs named by the director for displaying raised prices were: Doheny and Nesbitt, Maguires, Larry Murphy's, Waterloo House, the Wellington and the 51. Price increases were on show in those premises for stout, beer and lager. Those displaying no change to normal prices in the survey were: Toners, Searsons, Lansdowne House and the Beggars Bush.
The Labour Party's spokeswoman on consumer issues, Ms Kathleen Lynch, said the Tánaiste should introduce restrictions on pub prices.
"This blatent profiteering is nothing short of exploitation of Irish people and visitors to this country," she said.
"Mary Harney has to the power to ompose a maximum price order on publicans, but chooses not to use it. Instead she advises the public to 'shop around'".
The Lord Mayor of Dublin accused pub landlords of damaging the city's tourism industry.
Mr Royston Brady said: "I fail to see the justification for such price increases."
"It shows that some publicans are intent on lining their pockets - no matter what damage it will do to the city's reputation.
"I would call on Ms Foley to regularly name and shame pubs and restaurants that are giving us a bad reputation as a very expensive destination.
"We cannot allow a small group of greedy publicans to tarnish our reputation as a welcoming city and I would encourage drinkers to shop around and not to accept being ripped off."