The Consumers’ Association said yesterday it disagreed with the ruling on gas cylinder refunds, saying the authorities were there to promote not stifle competition and to ensure a level playing field for suppliers.

The association was referring to a decision by the Consumer and Competition Department earlier this week that justified the refusal by gas supplier Liquigas to grant a full refund to consumers for returned gas cylinders if they could not present a receipt.

Market newcomer Easygas complained the Liquigas stand was making it difficult for customers to switch suppliers.

The association insisted the department was there to ensure there was a level playing field and make it easier for consumers to switch between the two gas suppliers if they wanted to. As things stood, consumers were not benefiting from competition.

It said many consumers preferred to keep empty cylinders at home rather than receive a mere €5 refund. This was leading to a waste of resources, which could possibly cause an increase in prices.

“There are serious doubts that all consumers had been issued a receipt on their deposits and those people who first bought their gas cylinders many years ago would not have thought they would need the receipt many years later,” the association said.

A spokesman for Easygas, which is offering to replace consumers’ Liquigas cylinders with its own if they want to switch, said the company was still analysing the department’s decision with its lawyers and would react officially once this process was concluded.