Urgent action is needed to tackle spiralling car insurance costs, as the cost of insuring a car has already increased by one-third in the last year.

Shoppers searching for a bargain online ahead of the Christmas rush have been warned to keep on top of taxes and other charges — and to not try and dodge the rules.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) has called on the Government to conduct an independent review of the insurance industry amid growing concerns that motor insurers are penalising pensioners and younger drivers who tend to drive older cars.

People in Ireland can pay more than €5.50 for a call to directory enquiry services that lasts just one second.

One in five households are behind on their electricity bill, according to a new survey for the Energy Regulator.

The Consumers Association of Ireland wants Bord Gais to defer a price hike in light of a €55m payout to workers.

The Consumers Association of Ireland is urging people to use only credit cards or Paypal when shopping for goods online.

Bord Gais Energy's gas prices are to rise from next month.

Deepening austerity measures are pushing households into a “live for now” culture, causing shrinking savings and risks triggering a fresh personal finances crisis.

Irish tourists are being duped by fake websites into paying for free European health insurance cards — but gardaí are powerless to do anything about it.

Thousands of private health insurance holders are set to suffer a second double-digit price hike this year — marking the start of a threatened 40% new cost surge across the sector.

Supermarkets must cut costs if they want to prevent risking a customer boycott over soaring recession-era price hikes.

The companies who provided beef burgers that contained horse meat to Irish supermarkets have withdrawn the products from the market.

The National Consumer Agency has said it will be pushing for a reversal of HMV's decision not to honour vouchers after the company announced today that it went into administration.

The Christmas gifts have been doled out to lots of oohs and aahs — and silent sighs.

The Consumers' Association of Ireland says it has been inundated with complaints in the past week from concerned parents who have used the school book online retailer schoolbooks.ie.

The Consumers' Association is today calling on anyone who was affected by the recent Ulster Bank technical debacle to contact them.

Hundreds of holidaymakers could be out of pocket on prepaid trips after booking agent Selfcatering.ie went out of business.

Ulster Bank CEO Jim Brown has said he is aware that the current situation at the bank is "unacceptable".

Power company Electric Ireland says it will not change its “less costs more” policy despite a backlash against its extra charge for customers who do not use “enough” electricity.

THE sheer complexity of health insurance policies is forcing people who could afford to keep their coverage to quit because hidden deals are not being adequately explained by insurers.

The head of the Consumers Association, Dermot Jewell, has welcomed the suggestion from the deputy of the Central Bank to clampdown on banks targeting homeowners with variable rate mortgages.

CONSUMERS face a further hike in insurance costs on a day when data reveals Ireland is still one of the most expensive countries in Europe.

The Consumers Association is calling on the Government to reduce the VAT rate on utility bills to 9%.

STRUGGLING consumers are facing an onslaught of price rises over the coming months.

IRISH Rail has increased its online prices, sparking outrage among customers.

The Consumers Association of Ireland has criticised proposals to introduce new car and house insurance levies.

The decision to exclude customers in arrears from new price plans announced today by the ESB has been criticised.

IRELAND’S next health minister has been urged to prevent insurers from bleeding people dry after the latest in a series of painful premium hikes were imposed on patients.

NEW findings from the Central Bank show that independent moneylenders are complying with recently introduced regulations, despite the fact that the annual percentage rates (APRs) being charged by most are well in excess of 100%.

HARD-pressed consumers are set to be hit in the pocket yet again after insurers announced plans to raise house premiums by 15%, significantly reduce coverage and force customers to pay up to €1,000 of their claim costs.

The Consumers Association of Ireland has criticised Bank of Ireland for introducing new fees and charges.

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has said she has no plans to issue guidelines or direct schools to make uniforms less expensive despite the pressures on some families to meet the costs.

CONSUMER representatives have called for the establishment of a retail ombudsman and national grocery website in the wake of a report showing a slowdown in competition among supermarkets.

The Government's carbon tax on oil and gas comes into effect today.

QUINN Insurance is standing by its commitment that its claims and policies would be processed as normal.

I LIKE my food just a little bit too much as anyone who has seen me recently will know.

HOMEOWNERS are paying over €100 less for gas and electricity than they were a year ago, and prices are set to plunge further.

USERS have been warned to be aware of hidden fees when it comes to choosing a credit card –described by a consumer expert as “public enemy number one”.

SPENDING on luxury items is down 40% as consumers cut back on eating out, visits to the hairdresser and shopping for clothes.

CONSUMER groups have called for an investigation into how Bank of Ireland overcharged customers of potentially tens of millions of euro and if the bank benefited from the financial blunder.

The Consumers' Association of Ireland has come out in support of a 'yes' vote in the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum.