'Consumers need one-stop-shop for complaints'

A one-stop-shop to help consumers report rip-off businesses is being recommended to the Government.

The Consumer Strategy Group was set up by the Tánaiste last year to come up with ideas on how to deal with “Rip-Off Ireland”.

Bringing together the services of several Government agencies under one roof is the plan to be put to the Government at the end of February.

From the Office of Consumer Affairs to the Ombudsman, everything should be available under one roof to consumers.

The Consumer Strategy Group is recommending the new watchdog to be given real powers, saying it will otherwise be a useless talking shop.

They want it to have an investigation team and have the ability to enforce its decision.

They will be asking the Government to lift the Groceries Order that bans supermarkets from selling goods below their cost price.