Consumer Affairs

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#Consumer Affairs

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>If military action ends soon, and energy markets return to their February pricing, consumer sentiment may move back quickly.</p>

economy

Irish consumers 'bracing themselves for a major hit to their spending power'

Petrol, diesel, and home heating oil prices rose rapidly in March, leaving Irish consumers 'bracing themselves for a major hit to their spending power'

<p>A giant golf ball installed at King John's Castle in Limerick City by Limerick City and County Council ahead of the 2027 tournament at Adare. File picture</p>

munster

Ryder Cup 2027 scam warning as tickets about to go on sale

<p>Watchdogs checked 314 online traders selling a range of goods such as cosmetics, fashion, furniture, and electrical goods, and found that 30% referenced discounts incorrectly during such sales. </p>

economy

One in three websites displayed incorrect discounts during Black Friday

MixCollage-17-Jan-2025-04-36-PM-3143

Caitríona Redmond: E-scooters affect how safe public spaces are — rules need tightening

MixCollage-17-Jan-2025-04-36-PM-3143

Caitríona Redmond: Taking steps to reduce energy costs in an uncertain time

Energy bills

politics

Government rules out energy credits as Middle East war sparks potential cost-of-living crisis

A large green plastic oil tank in a rural Cornish garden

Petrol, diesel, and home heating oil suppliers to be quizzed over price rises

Enterprise minister Peter Burke to question energy suppliers after sudden increases in petrol, diesel and home heating oil prices

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Novo Nordisk requests HSE to cover Wegovy on medical card

Novo Nordisk requests HSE to cover Wegovy on medical card

So far only one obesity treatment — Saxenda — is covered for patients with a medical card or on the long-term illness scheme

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026

Adult woman holding a pill and a glass of water. Female taking medicine. Treating at home. Patient recovering in a hospital. Men

Eli Lilly's new GLP-1 pill could be more effective weight loss drug

Clinical trial suggests Orforglipron, prescribed for type 2 diabetes, may be an improved non-injection alternative to Wegovy and Mounjaro

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Commission warns about 'dangerous' car seat head straps for children

Commission warns about 'dangerous' car seat head straps for children

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said they were being sold across online marketplaces Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom, Shein, and Wish

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

A man is holding a remote control of a smart TV in his hand. In the background you can see the television screen with streaming

Caitríona Redmond: Streaming services could cost you €129 per month — will prices ever drop?

Has the Irish fascination with streaming gone too far, and is it costing us needless euros every year that would be better spent elsewhere?

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

FRANCE-BANKING-CASH-ATM

Cash withdrawals continues to fall as the Government's access to cash legislation comes into effect

Number of contactless payments saw an increase last year of 6.8% to 1.6bn, compared to 2024, with a total combined value of €30bn — an increase of 12.6%

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

An Unrecognizable Businesswoman Preparing A Package For Shipping

Life Hack: How to avoid scams on Vinted and what to do if you have any problems

Buying and selling on Vinted is getting more popular, but here's what to do if you think you've been sold a fake item or think a buyer is lying about your parcel going missing

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: What's the deal with tipping these days?

Caitríona Redmond: What's the deal with tipping these days?

Tips are a vital way to give thanks for excellent customer service, but aren’t obligatory

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Financial Services Ireland calls for 'simplified, tax-efficient' investment vehicle for Irish consumers

Financial Services Ireland calls for 'simplified, tax-efficient' investment vehicle for Irish consumers

Call comes as part of FSI’s new five year strategy

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Large Tourist Bus Travels Fast In The City

NTA has spent an 'astounding' €35m on contactless payment system due in 2028

Cork councillor says it is an 'astounding sum to be spent' on a system which public transport users will not see for another two years

Fri, 06 Feb, 2026

Benny McCabe: Hike in the price of a pint unfairly hits publicans and their customers

Benny McCabe: Hike in the price of a pint unfairly hits publicans and their customers

Cork publican Benny McCabe writes that traditional Irish pubs are the guardians of a tradition and they and their customers keep getting walloped while big suppliers enjoy a taxpayer-funded subsidy

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

Emergency, service and people on computer with headset for security, dispatcher and operator. Telecommunication, surveillance an

Caitríona Redmond: What about the people on the receiving end of our complaints and queries?

Helpline and call centre staff are a bunch of hardworking people who often get abused by customers, writes Caitríona Redmond

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Close up owner man interacts with a woman senior shopkeeper while receiving her purchase in a small paper shopping bag reusable

Caitríona Redmond: Unwanted Christmas gift? Here are your options

If you do get any unwanted Christmas presents, you may not be able to take them all back, writes Caitríona Redmond

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Decoration with hydrogel water balls - orbeez.

How to avoid a toy-related trip to hospital A&E this Christmas

Their grandparents played with a toy that was basically a weapon (remember clackers?) but children today can easily fall foul of innocent-looking toys like water beads or magnets

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Caitríona Redmond: Why are we introducing children to gambling at Christmas — or ever?

Caitríona Redmond: Why are we introducing children to gambling at Christmas — or ever?

Online loot and mystery boxes are a slippery slope for many children

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

TD 'frustrated' at slow rollout out of contactless payments on public transport

TD 'frustrated' at slow rollout out of contactless payments on public transport

Cork South-Central TD Jerry Buttimer said tap and pay is about making public transport easier for people

Sun, 21 Dec, 2025

Services sector sees weakened competition as larger players grow market share – CCPC

Services sector sees weakened competition as larger players grow market share – CCPC

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission report shows an increase in market concentration and markups in the sector

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

christmas caution

Parents urged to put safety at top of Santa's list this Christmas

Doctor offers advice about bikes, e-scooters, helmets, and phones for older children — and the risk of choking hazards in toys for toddlers

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

Woman looking at houses and flats in the window of an estate agent in London, UK

Value of mortgages up 4.2% annually despite drop in approvals

Banking and Payments Federation said first-time buyer mortgage approvals remain robust despite a slowdown in mover purchase activity

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Warmer homes scheme: Applicants wait up to 22 months for retrofits to be completed

Warmer homes scheme: Applicants wait up to 22 months for retrofits to be completed

Wait times could increase as more people become eligible for the retrofitting programme

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Man Shopping Electronics Online During Black Friday Sale.

Black Friday: Is the seasonal sale really worth it?

Is this seasonal sale really worth it? Really, it is only a bargain when you truly need the item

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Irish Black Friday spend expected to fall 14% since last year

Irish Black Friday spend expected to fall 14% since last year

PwC survey suggests the average Irish consumer expects to spend €283 during the 2025 Black Friday sales weekend

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!

Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!

Does every little really help? Not always

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Weekly supermarket shopping

S Terry Prone: Digital payments are fine but, like most of us, I still prefer to carry cash

Flexible as my phone payment system is, it won’t talk to supermarket trolleys

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

'Brigade of people' waiting for influencers to slip up on 'overreaching' ad guidelines

'Brigade of people' waiting for influencers to slip up on 'overreaching' ad guidelines

Under the Consumer Protection Act, Irish influencers must clearly indicate if their posts are of a commercial nature

Listen | Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Regulator warns of 'unacceptable' number of shops selling lottery products to minors

Regulator warns of 'unacceptable' number of shops selling lottery products to minors

Regulator finds almost 30% of retailers are failing to prevent lottery sales to underage buyers

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Landlords will have to reveal how much rent they charge tenants

Landlords will have to reveal how much rent they charge tenants

Landlords will have to publicly disclose rent prices under new Government laws aimed at improving transparency and compliance

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

The Cliffs of Moher project that could change how Ireland welcomes the world

The Cliffs of Moher project that could change how Ireland welcomes the world

A University of Limerick team has created a data dashboard to help Ireland’s tourism industry tailor experiences in real time

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Shoppers at supermarket Sainsbury's for their weekly shopping when special prices are on offer, dealing with the cost of living

Caitríona Redmond: Families go backwards as Paschal Donohoe peels an orange in his pocket

Soaring energy prices and food shrinkflation are battering even the most frugal of families — and Budget 2026 has done nothing for them

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Young woman 20s attempting to read and understand her electricity meter reading and energy bill

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

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Car parked in luxury showroom. Car dealership office. Car showroom business. New car parked in modern showroom. Auto for sale an

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

Dublin Sheriff seized 43 vehicles in the first six months of 2025 including high-end marques such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, and Land Rover

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Senior couple sat at a table doing paperwork

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

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission survey reveals 'worrying trend' as growing number of Irish people are not putting plans in place for when they retire

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

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

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

Associated British Foods warns it expects consumer environment 'to remain uncertain'

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

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

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

Health Products Regulatory Authority warns that black market drugs — many of which are promoted with false claims on social media — can damage people's health

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

New car production

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

However retail sales in some sectors have been falling including larger-than-expected 3.5% declines in categories including newspapers, books, and department stores

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

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