Fuel Prices Not Illegal, Watchdog Confirms, as Irish Consumers Lodge Over 900 Complaints
CCPC clears fuel sector of price gouging: over 900 complaints reviewed but watchdog says sharp rises were driven by wholesale costs, not illegal behaviour.
Ireland's competition watchdog has concluded that the sharp rise in fuel prices seen in recent weeks did not breach competition or consumer protection law, despite receiving more than 900 complaints from frustrated consumers across the country.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) published its Fuel Report on 9 April 2026, following a government call for the public to report high fuel prices and suspected price gouging. The report covers complaints received in the week beginning 2 March 2026, in the context of ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on international commodity markets.
The CCPC received 907 contacts about home heating oil and motor fuels in the week beginning 2 March 2026, and has screened over 1,000 fuel-related contacts to its helpline since that date.
A small number, fewer than 5%, of complaints reported specific consumer protection issues with certain home heating oil suppliers, and the CCPC has seen some evidence of questionable practices. CCPC investigators are engaging with consumers and companies to further examine these issues.
The CCPC found that the vast majority of complaints, 96.5%, expressed distress and frustration at sudden and significant price rises across essential fuel products.
Brian McHugh, CCPC Chair, said:
"The distress and concern we heard from consumers was very real. A large number of consumers suspected that recent price increases were illegal and motivated in significant part to increase profits. However, while we have identified a small number of questionable consumer protection practices, we have not seen price increases that are in breach of any law. Ireland is an open market economy where businesses are free to set their own prices for goods and services."
The CCPC's market analysis examined wholesale and retail price movements across home heating oil, petrol and diesel. Taken together, the examination of wholesale and retail prices, international comparisons and the review of the home heating oil and motor fuel markets indicate that the retail price increases in March 2026 were lower than the corresponding wholesale price changes, and are not indicative of a dysfunctional market in which suppliers have imposed disproportionate retail price increases.
The CCPC examined wholesale costs in these markets and confirmed stark increases in prices across relevant markets. On home heating oil specifically, benchmark wholesale kerosene prices increased by approximately 150% from the beginning of the year to 17 March 2026, while average retail prices for home heating oil increased by approximately 80%.
McHugh added:
"The CCPC is very familiar with the road fuel and home heating oil markets in Ireland, and we know these markets are relatively competitive. We have examined the wholesale price increases across international markets in recent weeks. And, while we cannot rule out that individual companies may have benefited from price increases, overall, the very high price increases we are seeing nationally across both the home heating oil and road fuel markets are driven by increases in wholesale costs."
Among the complaints received, a smaller group related to more specific alleged abuses. Some consumers reported that traders cancelled orders that had already been paid for, citing stock availability issues, but continued to advertise oil as available at a higher price. CCPC investigators have been engaging with those consumers to gather further information.
In response to the consumer protection issues identified, the CCPC has written to the home heating oil industry to remind them of their consumer protection obligations under the law, including the requirement to clearly explain to consumers how their prices are calculated.
As the increased fuel prices are not due to competition issues in the market, there are no competition or consumer protection measures that can be taken to alleviate the impacts of high wholesale prices on consumers and businesses. The CCPC said it will continue to monitor markets for signs of dysfunction.
The commission will also work with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as requested by Government, on a longer-term study examining whether obstacles exist preventing the electricity and gas markets from operating efficiently.
Consumers who believe they have been charged more than the displayed price for fuel, or who did not receive fuel they paid for, can contact the CCPC helpline on 01 402 5555 or at ccpc.ie.