Dyson has launched legal action against rivals Bosch and Siemens alleging that they are misleading consumers in behaviour akin to the Volkswagen scandal.

The National Consumer Agency has requested “detailed information” from a company over dishwashers here which have been recalled in Britain.

A batch of dishwashers recalled in the UK because of a fire risk are still being stacked every day in Irish kitchens by appliance owners unaware of the potential hazard.