What will the war in the Middle East mean for Irish consumers? From heating bills to mortgages
Heating oil has shot up in price, petrol and diesel may continue to climb, but it may take longer to see the effect on interest rates and utility bills
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
‘Ireland has to box clever’: Inside the Government’s response to the war in the Middle East
With Irish citizens stranded, skyrocketing energy bills and an upcoming St Patrick’s day one-to-one with Trump, the Coalition has much to deal with
Petrol and diesel nears €2 a litre as fuel industry dismisses claims of profiteering
Fuel lobbyist welcomes CCPC investigation and predicts it will find ‘no improper behaviour when it comes to pricing’
Government learning the perils of setting precedents in unprecedented times the hard way
What used to be a once in a generation event tends to come around a lot more often these days
‘Price gouging’ oil companies, scrambler ban, and Jessie Buckley’s ‘problematic’ dislike of cats
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan
Heating oil prices increase by more than 50 per cent in Ireland in less than a week
Opposition politicians and farmers accuse providers of price gouging while the Government stands ‘to one side twisting its hat’
Cost of living interventions not under consideration at the moment, says Chambers
Minister says intervention at this stage ‘highly unlikely’, arguing that last year’s budget measures were ‘permanent, affordable and sustainable’
Cost of home-heating oil soars amid widespread travel disruption following attacks on Iran
Average price of 500 litres of oil now close to €700 with supplier saying demand surpassing that seen during cold weather
Boosting taxi supply: is deregulation the answer?
Any solution or policy change should take into consideration the workers affected as well the consumers
Asbestos found in children’s educational science kit distributed to schools
My Living World, Worm World Kit recalled after laboratory testing detected a naturally occurring type of the material
Parents warned that car seat head straps for children are ‘unsafe’ and ‘risk strangulation’
The head restraint accessory claims to prevent a child’s head from falling forwards or sideways if they fall asleep
A properly regulated taxi industry is best for customer and driver
Commentary suggesting that the regulated industry is failing does not stand up
Private ride-sharing services will not be introduced in Ireland, Minister says
Uber welcomes call from consumer watchdog saying ‘serious reform process’ of taxi market required
Irish people should have the option of calling an Uber or a Bolt
Lessons of two decades ago remain true: bold reform, focused on enhancing competition, can deliver huge benefits to consumers
Ireland should embrace Uber and other ride-hailing apps to increase options, says watchdog
New research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission highlights ‘supply shortage’ in taxi sector
Sherry FitzGerald’s takeover of rival Knight Frank cleared by CCPC
Competition watchdog says deal will not ‘substantially lessen competition’ in the property market
How much of the money you invest actually goes into your fund?
Commission and charges mean that even a fund that promises to put all your money into the investment can be a bad thing
Accidental tipping: The growth of tip terminals and involuntary gratuities
Technology has changed the payments landscape, with fewer people carrying cash and businesses relying on virtual tipping through terminals
Consumer watchdog warns Conor McGregor over failure to disclose Instagram sponsorships
Former MMA fighter told to comply with rules over posts promoting Forged Irish Stout
Gift vouchers: know your rights and the charges that might apply
On the Money: It can makes sense to use any gift cards you get sooner rather than later
Technology watchdogs warn Government they are under-resourced in face of growing workload
Budget strain ‘undermines State’s crucial role’ enforcing EU tech and data regulations
Make tipping policies clear to protect consumers, watchdog urges
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says technology has changed tipping landscape
JD Sports admits breaking law over online gift vouchers
Retailer says it has been ‘compliant with all gift card regulations, including the 60-month expiry period, in Ireland since the middle of 2025′
Consumers may have overpaid for household appliances, CCPC says as it investigates stores
Competition watchdog investigates alleged pricing irregularities on household appliances under agreement between supplier and retailers
What to do with unwanted gifts - including the ones you haven’t bought yet
Before you buy, think of the resources, energy and pollution that go into making and transporting those reindeer head slippers
Travel insurance – don’t leave home without it
Research shows Irish holidaymakers spent an average of almost €2,500 on trips last summer with 16% encountering issues
Competition body wants merger thresholds raised, so it can focus on more important deals
Rising inflation since limits were last set in 2019 means more takeovers are coming on watchdog’s radar
‘Such an ordeal’: Loveholidays leaves readers out in the cold
Deirdre encountered an inflexible approach to ‘flexible’ flights, while John found himself in a hotel without heating
How to sort out your finances after shelling out for Christmas
Christmas and New Year’s Eve are out of the way – now it’s time to pay for it all
Holiday problems for almost one in five Irish overseas travellers, research finds
Scam websites, poor hotels and lost luggage blight holidaymakers, with younger people more likely to suffer
Tony Soprano was right, the best is over: An Irish Diary on the decline of regional papers
Connacht Tribune had worldwide scoop when aviators Alcock and Brown landed outside Clifden in 1919
Only 5% of people ask for a receipt to return unwanted Christmas presents
Four in 10 consumers never include a gift receipt when giving presents, survey finds
Public views sought on new consumer and competition laws
Proposals form part of efforts to ensure consumer protection framework keeps pace with evolving markets and digital products
‘If you’re doing it, we will know about it’: How Revenue is watching Ireland’s influencers
The latest guidance from Revenue makes it clear that all social media income-generating activity is taxable
Kilkenny Design fined €600 for consumer law breaches at landmark Dublin store
Department store failed to dispRetailer which specialises in the sale of products from Irish designers was found to have failed to display prices as required by laway prices
‘Death trap’: After dodging dodgy car, reader seeks to save others
Buyer told to ‘run a mile’ after mechanic uncovers problems with second-hand car that had passed NCT
Big firms taking greater slices of services markets pose threat to consumers, CCPC warns
Regulator says smaller numbers of bigger businesses have a greater share of their industries’ sales than in 2008
Lack of transparency in bidding system depressing Irish property sales, report finds
MyHome and Bank of Ireland blame opaque bidding and lack of transparency for poor turnover
Giving vouchers for Christmas? Consider cash as fifth of recipients yet to use last year’s
Consumer watchdog’s survey reveals households with children set to spend average €1,600 on festive season
Consumers warned of increasingly sophisticated scams on Black Friday
Fake websites, phishing, fraudulent job offers and rental accommodation scams are all out to get you
Combined €21bn revenues pass through fast-fashion giant Shein’s Irish subsidiaries
Two entities in the group have just filed accounts in Dublin
Is Slowvember the solution to the Black Friday shopping frenzy?
There may be another way to support the local economy while not becoming a Christmas grinch
Competition watchdog warns professions on hiring rules
Chartered Accountants Ireland drops obligation on trainees to seek permission for new job interviews
The Irish Times view on pension auto-enrolment: a plan which has to work
The huge number of people without proper retirement provision must be addressed
Government could boost merger notification limits, says competition body
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission publishes details of €971m Phoenix Tower deal findings
Ryanair fails to get order for return of documents seized in Dublin and taken to Italy
Files used by Italian competition authority to reach a provisional view the airline had engaged in anti-competitive conduct
‘Tis the season to be scammed: shoppers fall for rogue websites
Buying online via social media links to products have the highest incidence of fraud with 42% of users reporting they lost money
60% of Black Friday shoppers later regret their purchases
Research from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission suggests significant number do not trust deals on offer
Irish savers needlessly give banks almost €1bn each year. Here’s what they can do about it
Central Bank estimates raise questions over our approach to deposits
Fastway staff left without pay while up to 50,000 packages yet to be returned
Workers told they cannot apply for social welfare during formal 30-day statutory redundancy consultation period
Fresh alert issued over circulating pumps found in heating systems
Tradespeople urged to exercise caution when working on heating systems due to electrocution risk
Ryanair injunction application to get back seized documents to go ahead
Some 30 officers searched the airline’s offices
Key component in more than 100,000 heating systems recalled in Ireland over electrocution fears
Home and business owners warned not to touch electrical connections on affected Tucson brand circulating pumps
‘Very strong’ demand for parts and service work sees revenues jump at Denis Mahony group
Vehicle sales increased by almost 9% to €107.1 million at Dublin auto group
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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