Brian McHugh

The CCPC’s latest impact report estimates the financial benefits to consumers arising from its enforcement of competition and consumer protection law, and from its consumer information and advice services.

The report found a consumer benefit ratio of €21 for every euro spent, with €682 million in estimated consumer benefit against a total operating cost of €32 million over the period.

Antitrust cases generated an estimated €305 million in benefits, a return of €60 for every euro spent, while merger control interventions delivered approximately €158 million.

Consumer protection work generated an estimated €220 million, driven by enforcement actions against traders and providing consumers with information and guidance on their rights.

The main cases contributing to these benefits included a major CCPC investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices in the motor insurance sector, and a consumer enforcement action against Tesco Ireland, which pleaded guilty in 2024 to breaches of consumer protection law relating to unit pricing on Clubcard promotional labels.

This is the CCPC’s second ex ante impact assessment, estimating the future financial impact for consumers arising from its interventions between 2021 and 2024. The first assessment, published in 2022, covered the period 2017 to 2020.

Brian McHugh, chairperson of the CCPC, said: “This report demonstrates the real value that the CCPC delivers for consumers and for Ireland. Every euro invested in our work generated €21 in consumer benefit, a return that demonstrates both the impact and the importance of what we do.

“Our mission is to empower and inform consumers, safeguard their rights, and ensure that businesses compete fairly. Our vision for open and competitive markets, where consumers are protected and businesses actively compete, remains at the heart of everything we do.

“Our focus continues to be on delivering transparent outcomes, empowering consumers with knowledge of their rights, and being a leading voice for competition and consumer welfare across Ireland. A well-functioning, competitive marketplace is essential for a thriving Irish economy, and we are committed to delivering tangible benefits for consumers now and into the future.”

Peter Burke, the minister for enterprise, trade and employment, added: “I welcome the publication of this impact report and the clear evidence it provides of the CCPC’s significant contribution to consumer protection  and fair competition in Ireland. 

“The CCPC continues to deliver real and measurable results, from tackling anticompetitive and unfair commercial practices to improving transparency for consumers. Fair, transparent and competitive markets benefit consumers, support business growth, and strengthen Ireland’s long term economic health.”

Niamh Smyth, the minister of state for trade promotion, AI and digital transformation, added: “The scale of the aggregate direct financial benefit to consumers in amounting to €682 million underscores the vital role the CCPC plays in ensuring that markets work better for both consumers and businesses in Ireland.

“Strengthening the powers of the CCPC is a key commitment of the programme for government, and I look forward to developing a legislative mechanism aimed at enhancing consumer protection, competition and enforcement in the months ahead.”

The impact assessment was carried out by the CCPC and independently reviewed and verified by Dr Franco Mariuzzo of the University of East Anglia using internationally recognised methodologies.

Due to data and methodology limitations, the assessment does not include the CCPC’s work on product safety or market research.