Consumers' Association criticises lack of competition

The Consumers' Association has criticised the lack of real competition in Ireland.

Dermot Jewell, the chief executive of the association, said: “Because of our size, competition is crucially important to us.

"Despite the fact that we have brought down inflation, we still do have a problem in relation to pricing and part of the drive behind that is a lack of a real competition.”

Mr Jewell was speaking ahead of a conference in Dublin today organised by the Competition Authority to mark European Competition Day.

The aim of the conference is to promote awareness of the benefits of competition to consumers.