Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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194. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department will take to protect consumers in terms of price gouging arising from dynamic pricing used by airlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67861/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is working on measures to strengthen competition and consumer protection, in line with both commitment from the Programme for Government and actions from the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, which includes targeted reforms within the CCPC’s remit. The Department is undertaking a review of the current legislative framework governing consumer protection fines, with the objective of strengthening enforcement provisions and ensuring greater deterrence against breaches.

Traders in Ireland are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, based on demand, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection legislation.

Dynamic pricing is a common practice in sectors such as the airline and hotel industry, where prices vary based on demand and timing. The practice is not prohibited if it complies with consumer protection law. Price gouging is not legally defined but generally refers to charging excessive prices during crises.

Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers before purchase and prohibits misleading, aggressive, or unfair practices. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes and fees, allowing consumers to make the informed decision in advance of the sale, whether to purchase or not.

The CCPC is the independent statutory body which enforces these rules and can act against any non-compliance. Any consumer who feels they have been misled or subjected to unfair pricing practices can contact the CCPC.