Working remotely is becoming the new normal for many of us. What was a temporary measure due to the pandemic is now permanently changing the way we work. Working from home brings many challenges: lack of space, poor broadband and the mental challenges of confinement. There are also many implications for householders and for household bills. Your energy, telephone and broadband usage might be... Read more

Last Monday was International Women’s day commemorating the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. Yet, our Constitution still contains Article 41.2 which contradicts these very achievements: “The State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. The State shall endeavour to ensure th... Read more

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) recently said that the Euro could be available to European consumers as a digital currency in as little as four years. As a digital currency, your Euros would exist as legal tender on your smartphone without the need for a bank account. Essentially, the consumer has a direct relationship with the ECB as the issuer and guarantor of ... Read more

In 2000 the Electronic Signature Bill was signed into law in Ireland giving e-signatures equal status to ink signatures on paper. Many will remember when Bill Clinton and Bertie Ahern electronically signed an agreement using the new legislation. So, why is it that a significant number of interactions Irish consumers have with Government services and with private sector suppliers still requir... Read more

Recently I was asked to Chair a Government taskforce on SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). Running a household can sometimes feel like running a small business and some of the conclusions and actions items coming from the taskforce are very relevant to householders. Plus, many One Big Switch members are sole traders or small business owners so the Report published here  might be of relevance ... Read more

The news cycle this week has been heavily focussed on Brexit, it’s hard to argue there’s a bigger news story than the roll out of the COVID19 vaccine.It’s my view that the European Union and Ireland are struggling to roll out a covid vaccination program. Ireland has vaccinated 4.5% of its population and ranks 30th in the Financial Times ranking for vaccine roll out, far behind the US (13% vacci... Read more

In December 2018 the Right Honourable Priti Patel, now the UK Home Secretary, announced she would be in favour of interrupting food supplies to Ireland if we did not toe the line to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Now, having done our very best to help get a deal in place, it looks like Minister Patel is still getting her way with a swath of interruptions and shortages affecting the Irish consumer. ... Read more

MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2019   2 in 3 IRISH HOUSEHOLDS SUFFERING FROM ENERGY FUEL POVERTY   A survey of 1,500 Irish households has found that 2 in 3 are suffering from energy ‘fuel poverty’. Fuel poverty is universally defined as a household spending over 10% of its income on energy costs.   Exclusive of taxes, Ireland has the second highest electricity prices in the EU[1]. T... Read more

Consumer network One Big Switch has today released a report that finds Irish consumers have felt significant negative impacts as a consequence of the 300,000+ Private Health Insurance policyholders who have left the market since it’s peak in 2008. The report, based on feedback from more than 15,000 consumers, is one of the largest health insurance surveys ever carried out in Ireland. […]

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A One Big Switch survey of 9,000+ members has shown that the current Health Insurance affordability crisis could become far worse if premiums continue to rise. Feedback from more than 5,000 Private Health Insurance policyholders indicate that 1 in 3 would give up their cover if premiums rose by as little as 1 to 10%. If 1 in 3 policyholders in […]

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