Volkswagen will not offer any new concessions to European customers following a key meeting with EU Justice and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Vera Jourova.

While the company is required to pay compensation to VW drivers in the US, in Europe it will only carry out repairs on the affected cars.

After the meeting, the company's negotiating team said that it will implement an "EU-wide action plan" to inform affected customers about the repair programme.

The pay-out per owner in the US is expected to amount to $20,000 per car - while European customers' will have their car's software updated and extra plastic tubing will be fitted.

BEUC, a Europewide consumer organisation, was quick to criticise the company's position.

"A commitment to inform consumers is hardly a sufficient remedy when a company breached EU consumer law. The European Commission should not settle for such poor promises," it said in a statement, adding that it is disappointing that there has been no consideration of compensation being offered to EU customers.

The company has consistently stated that European customers will be offered repairs, not compensation. The Commission said that it is not in a position to impose fines in cases like this - and that this is a matter for national courts.

Last week, Volkswagen Ireland was granted leave by the High Court to submit a challenge against the case being taken against it in Castlebar District Court by Roscommon-based nurse, Eithne Higgins, linked to the diesel emissions controversy.

1,400 investors are seeking damages worth €8.2bn from VW relating to the emission scandal.