Petrol stations which charge higher prices than displayed are breaking the law, and run the risk of prosecution and fines of up to €3,000.
The Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley said that her office had received complaints that some petrol retail outlets were charging prices higher than those displayed and that any retailer charging a price higher than the displayed price was in breach of legislation enforced by her office.
Ms Foley said the complaints arose in cases where retail outlets did not have the facility to change the display signs electronically, with prices at the pump increased before the display signs were changed manually.
The Director said she would have no hesitation in prosecuting retailers found to be doing this and that they were legally obliged to ensure that the price they charged was the price displayed. She added that her inspectors were checking to ensure that retail outlets correctly displayed the prices of diesel and petrol.
Earlier this week a survey of fuel prices by the AA showed that the national average price for petrol rose by another 3.2 cent this month and now costs 108.5 per litre, at yet another record high. Diesel prices also rose sharply to 107.1 cent per litre.
Petrol has risen in price by over 14% since January, according to AA figures. For an ordinary car doing ordinary mileage, the AA calculated that the motorist pays an extra €20.50 every month.
