The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has demanded harsher penalties for companies found in breach of consumer protection law after worries over fuel gouging.

A number of raids on petrol stations were carried out across the country, following concerns from consumers that the price of fuels was incorrectly displayed by retailers. 

In a press release, the CCPC demanded the Government introduce “more substantial penalties” for those companies found to be in breach of the law. 

“Consumers need to see prices up front in order to make informed choices,” a spokesperson said. 

“If our enforcement officers find breaches of consumer protection law, we will act.”

Fuel gouging

On The Pat Kenny Show, transport expert Conor Faughnan said it was “nice to know” that the CCPC is doing its job. 

“They were carrying out unannounced inspections across the retail sector - including forecourt fuel sales,” he explained. 

“They say that they did find a number of breaches.

“It’s tightly regulated; you’re obliged to display your prices, the lettering has to be at least 10 centimetres tall, it has to be visible. 

“So, what you’re looking for is a couple of obvious things - does the price of the till tally with the price displayed?” 

A person fills their car with fuel. Photo: PA Wire/PA Images

In theory, if the error was a mistake then it would benefit the consumer roughly half of the time. 

In practice, this hardly ever happened - something that caused immense frustration to motorists. 

“I remember in the AA over the years, we used to always get conspiracy theories from pundits who were absolutely certain that the local service station was ripping them off,” Mr Faughnan continued.  

“We actually looked at it in as much detail as we could - we never found a smoking gun evidence.” 

Anyone who feels they have been the victim of a breach in consumer law can contact the CCPC on 01 402 5555 or email ask@ccpc.ie.

Main image: A motorist filling up their tank. Picture by: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.