Dawn raids and cartel investigations see landmark year for Ireland's consumer watchdog

CCPC said it carried out 10 unannounced searches in 2025 as part of ongoing cartel investigations 

Last year saw a Central Criminal Court jury unanimously convict five private bus and taxi operators of bid-rigging in a publicly funded school transport tender following an investigation by the CCPC.

A landmark year for Ireland's consumer watchdog resulted in a major cartel conviction, along with four well-known retailers being prosecuted for breaking pricing laws, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said.

Releasing its annual report for 2025, the CCPC reported a 31% increase in consumer protection inspections and more than 276,000 unsafe or non-compliant products removed or prevented from reaching the Irish market. 

Last year saw a Central Criminal Court jury unanimously convict five private bus and taxi operators of bid-rigging in a publicly funded school transport tender following an investigation by the CCPC. The verdict marked a major milestone for competition law enforcement in Ireland, with a second tranche of cases scheduled later this year.

The CCPC also carried out 10 unannounced searches (dawn raids) as part of the watchdog’s ongoing cartel investigations, and continued to implement Ireland's new administrative competition enforcement regime, with the appointment of a chief adjudication officer and 17 adjudication officers, allowing the watchdog to impose financial sanctions for breaches of Irish and EU competition law.

The commission also completed 91 merger determinations during 2025, securing commitments in five cases to address competition concerns across key sectors. Merger notifications increased by almost 10% since 2024 and, following CCPC advocacy, increased merger notification thresholds came into effect on July 1, 2026.

The CCPC secured five successful prosecutions, including the first cases taken under new sales pricing laws, against major retailers including Boots, Lifestyle Sports, DID Electrical Appliances and Rathwood Home & Garden. 

The watchdog has continued to advocate for stronger powers and welcomes the Government’s forthcoming Bill which will give CCPC new powers to fine businesses for consumer law breaches. 

The Commission also secured €350,000 in refunds from DAA for more than 4,000 consumers who were overcharged during 'flash sales' for car parking at Dublin Airport.

"The CCPC had a landmark year in 2025," said Chairperson Brian McHugh. 

"The conviction of five school bus operators for bid-rigging shows our commitment to tackling serious breaches of competition law and protecting taxpayers, businesses and consumers from the significant harm caused by cartels.

"We’re committed to using the full range of powers available to us and increased our enforcement activity last year from cartel investigations and consumer law prosecutions to major product safety interventions. Having long advocated for stronger enforcement tools, we welcome the Government’s commitment to provide the CCPC with increased powers which will enable us to deliver even greater outcomes for consumers.

“We will continue to prioritise work that keeps the Irish market open and competitive and delivers the greatest impact for Irish consumers."