Watchdog ‘powerless’ to tackle costs as prices rise daily in some garages

Even before the war in Ukraine broke out, new figures show that consumer prices surged by 5.6% over the past year, the largest annual increase in almost 21 years. Picture: Larry Cummins

The State's consumer watchdog has admitted it is powerless to clamp down on price gouging by petrol and diesel retailers even as inflation hits a 21-year high.

Politicians across both Government and opposition parties have demanded the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) carry out a full investigation as motorists report massive increases at the pumps.