Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
The CCPC is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. In terms of consumer rights, it works to empower and equip consumers to make informed choices and assert their rights. It also uses its enforcement and regulatory powers to make markets work better and get the best results for consumers, and promotes the benefits of competition and consumer protection through advocacy and public awareness activities.
Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)
The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) monitors and regulates the laws covering air passengers’ rights. CAR’s website and its dedicated flightrights.ie website have information in relation to air passenger rights: if have an air travel-related complaint you should first submit a complaint under Regulation 261/2004 to the air carrier. If the air carrier fails to conclude the matter in accordance with the Regulation or to the satisfaction of the passenger, the complaint should be forwarded to the appropriate National Enforcement Body (NEB), which is CAR for air passenger rights.
The NEB of each EU Member State, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, is responsible for departures from airports within its territory and arrivals into such airports from third countries on Community-licensed carriers. For example, CAR would be the appropriate NEB if the affected flight departed from Ireland or arrived in Ireland from outside the EU, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland on a community-licenced air carrier.
Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)
ComReg is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications sector (telecommunications, radio communications, and broadcasting transmission) and the postal sector. So, for example, if you have a complaint in relation to internet or mobile phone services (the actual network service), premium rate services, or postal problems then you can ask a question or lodge a complaint to ComReg here.
The ombudsman is a statutory officer who deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about individual dealings with all financial service providers. More information on who may or may not submit a complaint to the ombudsman and how to do it is available here.
Garda National Economic Crime Bureau
If you have been the victim of fraud or any type of scam, which are criminal matters, you would have to contact the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to report it and seek further assistance.
The Citizens Information Board website has a great section on consumer protection which gives a good overview of consumer rights, consumer complaints, pricing, and product safety and labelling. It also has a pretty comprehensive section on travel and your consumer rights in relation to package holidays, air passenger rights, and airline liability among other things.
