Almost 43,000 consumers contacted the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) last year, with Ryanair topping the list of most complained-about companies.
The consumer watchdog had another busy year in 2025, with a noticeable increase in queries relating to contracts.
A total of 42,791 people got in touch with the CCPC to report a problem, ask a personal finance question, or seek information on their consumer rights, representing a slight 3% decrease compared to 2024.
Issues relating to faulty goods and services (9,114) accounted for the largest number of contacts. This was followed by contract performance (2,894), deposits and payments (2,529), and advertising (2,384).
Most consumers (29,002) contacted the watchdog by phone, with email (8,100) the next most popular channel. However, 16 consumers were aggrieved enough to visit the CCPC’s head office in person!
Sectors driving complaints
By sector, vehicle and transport generated the highest number of contacts — close to 6,000 in total. This was followed by home building and improvements (2,838) and telecommunications (2,462).
On average, consumers reported spending almost €6,300 on the goods or services they contacted the helpline about, a figure driven largely by the high costs associated with second-hand cars and home renovations.
And certain companies stood out for generating significant consumer frustration...
Most complained-about companies
According to the CCPC, the three most complained-about companies in 2025 were Ryanair, Rathwood (an Irish retailer specialising in garden and outdoor furniture), and Currys.
Ryanair regularly features prominently in the CCPC’s complaints reports, so it’s no surprise to see it top the list again, with almost 600 complaints. And given the airline’s tendency to lean into controversy, it’s unlikely to lose much sleep over the ranking.
Rathwood placed second. The Carlow-based company has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons over the past year, following a CCPC investigation into complaints that it failed to refund customers who cancelled orders when goods were not delivered.
Eir, perhaps unsurprisingly, also features in the top ten once again. Long associated with poor customer service, the company was previously described as a “disgrace” by a judge in the Dublin District Court during a CCPC case over its handling of complaints. However, complaint levels have been gradually declining in recent years following the company's efforts to improve its customer service.
Notably absent from this year’s top ten though is Ticketmaster, which topped the list in 2024 after sparking widespread backlash — particularly among Oasis fans — over its use of dynamic pricing.
Size matters when comparing complaints
It’s important to consider the scale of companies when interpreting complaint numbers.
Ryanair carries over 200 million passengers annually, while Eir serves more than 1.5 million customers, many of whom hold multiple services with the company.
Viewed in this context, Aer Lingus — which received around 60% as many complaints as Ryanair despite carrying just 11 million passengers — may arguably performs far worse from a customer service perspective.
Top 10 companies consumers complained about
|
Company |
Number of complaints |
|
Ryanair |
593 |
|
Rathwood |
565 |
|
Currys |
445 |
|
Sky |
431 |
|
Eir |
430 |
|
Harvey Norman |
390 |
|
Aer Lingus |
349 |
|
Lidl |
333 |
|
Virgin Media |
286 |
|
Vodafone |
267 |
Calls for reform of the Small Claims Court
CCPC spokeswoman Grainne Griffin used the release of the report to remind shoppers about their consumer rights:
“Last year the CCPC helpline saw an increase in calls about online purchases. When shopping online in Ireland and the rest of the EU, consumers have strong rights, including the right to send goods back, as long as they inform the trader within 14 days.
“One fifth of all contacts to our helpline in 2025 related to an issue with faulty goods and services. It’s important that consumers know their rights if they buy something that turns out to be faulty. Regardless of whether you had a warranty or a guarantee, it’s up to the seller to resolve your issue, you shouldn’t have to go back to the manufacturer.”
But the CCPC also used the report’s release to advocate for a review of the Small Claims Court system.
The court provides a low-cost, informal, and efficient way for consumers and businesses to resolve disputes without requiring legal representation. However, its current claim limit is set at just €2,000 — significantly lower than the average disputed amount reported by consumers contacting the CCPC. As a result, the CCPC is pushing for an increase in the claim threshold.
How to contact the CCPC
If you need guidance on your consumer rights or have a personal finance question, you can reach the CCPC through the following channels:
- Phone: 01 402 5555, open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm
- Website: ccpc.ie/contact
- Email: ask@ccpc.ie
And if you have an issue relating to a vehicle, you can also contact the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) which operates a consumer complaints and arbitration service for people who have bought a used car or gotten repairs from any of its members.
You can also read many of the in-depth personal finance guides we have on bonkers.ie such as our guide on your general consumers rights as well as our guide on gift vouchers.
