#Consumer Affairs

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#Consumer Affairs

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The call to keep the 9% rate comes after price hike announcements from energy companies SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis Energy, Pinergy, Flogas, and Energia. Stock picture</p>

politics

Budget 2026: 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity should remain – Jack Chambers

Public expenditure minister said the 9% rate should be retained to prevent further price hikes for consumers

<p>Toll income on the M50, Ireland's busiest road, surged by 11% to €190m in 2023, on the back of an inflation-linked increase in toll charges and higher traffic volumes. iStock</p>

news

Mercs and BMWs among the 43 vehicles seized for non-payment of M50 tolls

<p>The CCPC said the survey data indicates a clear gap in pension coverage in Ireland, even among those a decade or two away from retirement. Picture: iStock</p>

news

Pension crisis: 26% of Irish adults surveyed have no financial plans for retirement

Penneys' underlying sales to fall in second half on weaker European demand

companies

Penneys' underlying sales to fall in second half on weaker European demand

Illegal weight-loss drugs among 400,000 units impounded by HPRA in six months

news

Illegal weight-loss drugs among 400,000 units impounded by HPRA in six months

New car production

economy

CSO retail index see strong growth in July boosted by motor sales

young mum queries a bill on the phone .

Consumer sentiment improves marginally in August but cost-of-living concerns rise

Irish League of Credit Unions index shows consumer sentiment index reached 61.1 during August, up from the 59.1 figure reported for July

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Batch of chicken Kievs recalled following detection of salmonella

Batch of chicken Kievs recalled following detection of salmonella

The Kievs are sold in 500g packs and have a best before date of October 2026

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Ryanair stock

Revealed: The companies Irish consumers complain about most

Ryanair, Eir and Sky topped CCPC’s complaints list as Irish consumers reported losing €56m on faulty goods and services

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

JetBlue Airways

S Terry Prone: Cabin staff no longer exist to help make your flight enjoyable

Cabin staff no longer exist to help make your flight enjoyable. They’re there to sell you stuff and if you don’t want it, you can shiver right off, so you can.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Nostalgia, fun, and FOMO: How Nintendo Switch 2 captured generational appeal

Nostalgia, fun, and FOMO: How Nintendo Switch 2 captured generational appeal

Smyths and Currys say Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World sold out within hours in Ireland and selling strongly now it's back in stock

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Several spinach and mixed leaves products recalled following detection of listeria

Several spinach and mixed leaves products recalled following detection of listeria

The recall of McCormack Family Farms products comes after 170 readymeals made by Ballymaguire Foods were called back amid a listeriosis outbreak

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Ballymaguire Foods appoints public health expert after listeria-linked meal recall

Ballymaguire Foods appoints public health expert after listeria-linked meal recall

Over 170 ready meals have been pulled from shelves as Ballymaguire works with authorities to protect public health

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

ieExplains: What is listeriosis, the infection linked to the recall of ready-made meals

ieExplains: What is listeriosis, the infection linked to the recall of ready-made meals

An adult has died with a confirmed case of the rare bacterial infection listeriosis as health officials continue to investigate an 'extensive outbreak'

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Weekly supermarket shopping

Adult dies with listeriosis as nine cases linked to recall of ready meals

The recall included dozens of products sold under various names at Tesco, SuperValue, Centra, and Aldi

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

The Temu app.

EU commissioner shocked Michael McGrath by dangers of some goods sold by Shein and Temu

Michael McGrath has vowed to crack down on the sale of goods that blatantly break the law

Sun, 20 Jul, 2025

Achill island coastal scenery

Colin Sheridan: Better late than never for Achill’s broadband lifeline

State has finally delivered on the promise of reliable fast broadband connectivity

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Almost 60,000 Tower air fryers recalled over fire risk

Almost 60,000 Tower air fryers recalled over fire risk

The models were made between 2020 and 2024 and sold in outlets across Ireland, including Argos, Tesco, DID, Dealz, Lidl, and Amazon

Thu, 10 Jul, 2025

traffic_jam

Consumer watchdog vows to crack down on motor industry

CCPC will tackle 'anti-competitive practices' such as car dealers telling customers their warranty will be void if they go to independent garages for repairs

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Government seeks to beef up Ireland's competitiveness

Government seeks to beef up Ireland's competitiveness

New powers for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission planned as Micheál Martin hosts competitiveness summit

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Global recession the top concern for households in Ireland

Global recession the top concern for households in Ireland

Cost of housing and rent still a major issue too, with over a quarter of 16 to 29-year-olds citing it as their biggest worry, according to a new Bank of Ireland survey

Wed, 25 Jun, 2025

Irish households' €160bn in savings could be unlocked to fund new homes – SCSI

Irish households' €160bn in savings could be unlocked to fund new homes – SCSI

State-backed housing investment vehicle could release some of the €160bn, most of which is in low-interest current accounts

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Classic bar

Alcohol consumption falls again, dropping 4.5% last year

Industry demands a cut in excise rates to protect small pubs and restaurants

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

SPAR Grocery Supermarket.

Spar wants a bigger slice of Ireland's €15bn grocery market

Strategy includes plans for new store openings, upgrading existing sites, and a new design for EuroSpar supermarkets

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Conspiracies, distrust and 'holding on for dear life': Inside Ireland's largest Bitcoin Conference

Conspiracies, distrust and 'holding on for dear life': Inside Ireland's largest Bitcoin Conference

People attending the Bitcoin Ireland Conference were urged to ‘reclaim’ aspects of their lives that ‘we outsource to experts’, writes Emer Walsh

Listen | Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Consumer watchdog 'should have more powers to probe supermarket pricing'

Consumer watchdog 'should have more powers to probe supermarket pricing'

Proposal to boost powers of Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Wed, 28 May, 2025

100% mortgages would drive up house prices, Central Bank warns

100% mortgages would drive up house prices, Central Bank warns

Celtic Tiger-style 100% home loans would also increase risk to borrowers and banks, Mark Cassidy told the Oireachtas housing committee

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Butter

Caitríona Redmond: Why have butter prices soared and is it cheaper in other countries?

Head melted from increased prices? Word is spreading that butter is cheaper abroad but is that a rumour or a fact?

Mon, 26 May, 2025

RTÉ’s Oliver Callan adds 25,000 listeners to show, according to JNLR survey

RTÉ’s Oliver Callan adds 25,000 listeners to show, according to JNLR survey

Morning Ireland the most listened to show in the country

Thu, 15 May, 2025

M&S says customer data was taken in cyberattack

M&S says customer data was taken in cyberattack

The retailer, whose stores remain open, is widely reported to have been the victim of a ransomware attack

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Heineken reports strong growth for Murphy's

Heineken reports strong growth for Murphy's

The brewing giant warned of ongoing volatility caused by uncertainty over global tariffs

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Insurance, payment and finance with old couple and documents for planning, budget and mortgage. Savings, taxes and retirement wi

Mortgage interest rates down slightly as banks 'slow' to pass on ECB cuts

Interest rate on new home loans was 3.79% on average at the end of February, down 0.03% from January and 0.5% down from the same month in 2024

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Ford Kuga EV drivers will not be compensated after fire risk warning

Ford Kuga EV drivers will not be compensated after fire risk warning

The company has written to owners of newer Ford Kuga plug-in hybrids to inform them of the potential for the high-voltage battery in the car to 'short circuit'

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Changing chanels

Call for crackdown as TV, phone, and broadband prices set to soar again

Eir, Sky, Three, and Vodafone will hike prices mid-contract for the third year in a row, prompting consumer watchdog call for action

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Uisce Éireann's refusal to attend meeting on Cork City's dirty water problem 'beyond insulting'

Uisce Éireann's refusal to attend meeting on Cork City's dirty water problem 'beyond insulting'

It comes as the utility announced water restrictions in parts of West Cork following detection of ammonia levels in the River Illen

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

High Street Retail As German Inflation Bites

Zara owner's sales slow in early weeks of first quarter

Company spent €2.7bn last year on improving operations through refurbishing stores, deploying new security technology and expanding logistics capabilities

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Prepare to pay more for your flat white as Ireland's coffee producers face a perfect storm

Prepare to pay more for your flat white as Ireland's coffee producers face a perfect storm

Rising global demand and crops hit by adverse weather mean that Irish coffee roasters are paying more for beans this year

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Sinn Fein health policy

Government 'throwing families under a bus' by ending energy credits

Sinn Féin's David Cullinane said in the Dáil that finance minister Paschal Donohoe was full of 'guff, bluff, and bluster'

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Oasis reunion

Caitríona Redmond: Ticketmaster said 'No' — but this reader didn’t back down

How bagging an accessible concert ticket can be a saga, even before getting to the venue

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Rising House Prices

Daft.ie report suggests RPZs reduced supply of homes to rent

Author Ronan Lyons says soaring rents are due to two issues — 'a lack of supply that was there anyway, and rent controls have made supply worse'

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Apple Cider Vinegar: How social media gave rise to 'wellness influencer' fraud Belle Gibson

Apple Cider Vinegar: How social media gave rise to 'wellness influencer' fraud Belle Gibson

Belle Gibson's posts about her battle with cancer touched the lives of millions. But she never had cancer and her whole 'alternative medicine' narrative was the basis of a massive scam

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Fitzroy's Florist in Primrose Hill, London

Household spending outpaces inflation showing 'real gain' in consumption

New data from Bank of Ireland indicates a real gain in consumption of approximately 4%

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

European Union launches probe into fashion website Shein

European Union launches probe into fashion website Shein

EU investigating Chinese fast fashion website for possible breaches of laws on product safety, consumer protection, and data protection

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Buying meat at a supermarket.

Storm Éowyn drives additional spending in supermarkets

The post-festive period saw consumers spend more on items that were on promotion with an extra €72m spent during January

Mon, 10 Feb, 2025

Florist Arrange Red Rose Flowers

Flowers, jewellery, dinner: Card data reveals Irish consumers' Valentine's spending habits

February 14 last year saw a 69% rise in cinema spending, pub spend increased by 27%, hotels were up by 17%, and gift card sales rose 23%

Mon, 10 Feb, 2025

Happy young couple saving money for their next investment, shopping or vacation

Consumer Corner: Goodbye — my top 10 things I've learned writing this column

After four years of writing about saving money and spending wisely, here are a few things I’ve learned from all the experts I spoke to over the years.

Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

Head is swimming on dance floor

Irish nightclub scene on 'brink of collapse', say campaigners

Of the 83 regularly active nightclubs in Ireland, 23 of these are situated in Dublin

Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up — but ‘nobody will retire rich’

Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up — but ‘nobody will retire rich’

Global warming has made conditions more favourable for growing grapes — and finding the right variety is key, writes Lisa O'Carroll

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025

ROSEMARY STEEN

'I heard a man say he was leaving Ireland over a rental dispute. That's why I took this job with the RTB'

Residential Tenancies Board chief executive Rosemary Steen tells Sean Murray about the serious challenges it has faced and the progress it is making

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

Everything you need to know before you file your income tax return with Revenue

Everything you need to know before you file your income tax return with Revenue

After Budget 2025, you may find yourself entitled to a bigger tax refund this year

Wed, 01 Jan, 2025