Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has today called on Government to clarify why laws designed to protect the Irish consumer against the growing phenomenon of shrinkflation (the practice where shoppers pay the same or more for smaller products) are being allowed to wither and die on the legislative vine.

He said that ‘a woeful lack of enforcement and the absence of a clear pathway toward the introduction of targeted legislation points to a level of lethargy that is indifference at best and contemptible at worst when it comes to protecting Irish shoppers.’

He added: ‘We have section 43 of Ireland's Consumer Protection Act, 2007 and we have the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to protect our interests in this area, but from what I can see these so-called protections are very much like the case of the dog who didn’t bark in the night.

‘As far as I understand it 9 other EU countries have official recommendations or proposals under discussion to specifically target shrinkflation, while the UK will introduce new regulation in October 2025.

‘But what are our lot doing? Nothing. Even worse than that, they are not enforcing the meagre laws that are on the books as everyone can see each time that they pick up a bar of chocolate, a tub of butter, a packets of crisps, or biscuits and even loo rolls.

‘The rip-off is taking place right across the board and it is on full display in every aisle.’

Deputy O’Flynn confirmed he has tabled Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the matter.