THE controversial ban on below-cost selling is set to go within weeks after its abolition was recommended in a confidential report to be presented to the Government.

HOUSEHOLDERS are being forced to pay almost €500 a year more for groceries because legislation is preventing competition in the sector, the Competition Authority (CA) has said.

THE Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) has called for the abolition of the Groceries Order, claiming the ban on below-cost selling is detrimental to the economy.

ENTERPRISE, Trade and Employment minister Micheál Martin has named the interim chairman of the National Consumer Agency.

The revenue of mobile phone firm O2 Ireland has jumped 13% in the past year and the company’s gross profits are up by around 9%, while Irish consumers are being ripped off.

The Government's Consumer Strategy Group has published its long-awaited recommendations on how to improve consumer protection in Ireland.

The Consumers' Association has expressed doubt about whether the new national consumer agency being launched by the Government today will lead to lower prices.

The Government is due to launch a new national consumer agency today to replace the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.

A new national consumer agency due to launched by the Government this week will reportedly have the power to close businesses that breach consumer protection legislation.

ENTERPRISE Minister Micheál Martin has signalled that the Government may abolish the ban on below-cost selling of food and groceries.

The establishment of a new consumer protection agency will be announced on Wednesday.

MUSGRAVE have reported a 20% rise in profits on the back of strong sales at its Irish convenience stores.

Representatives of the food and drink industry have defended the prices charged for their products following criticism from the Government's Consumer Strategy Group.

The Consumers' Association has called on the Government to take decisive action to end the rip-off of Irish consumers by greedy retailers.

The Government's Consumer Strategy Group has reportedly concluded that the high prices charged for a range of goods and services in Ireland are unjustified.

A BAN on supermarkets undercutting the prices of smaller shops should be abolished to bring more competition into the market, it was claimed yesterday.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has expressed its opposition to renewed calls for an end to the ban on below-cost selling.

The Government’s Consumer Strategy Group has reportedly recommended that the ban on below-cost selling designed to protect small retailers be scrapped in the interest of competition.

The employers' body IBEC has expressed its opposition to renewed calls for the lifting of the ban on below-cost selling.

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