Bank of Scotland Ireland has accused the Irish retail banks of using double standards and has urged the Competition Authority to tackle anti-competitive practices it claims are hurting consumers.

In a submission to the Competition Authority, the bank again raises issues such as the difficulties experienced by smaller financial institutions in getting access to the money transmission system that allows them to offer current accounts to customers.

The bank also highlights the problems encountered by customers when trying to switch accounts and the lack of transparency in pricing.

Bank of Scotland has also called for the abolition of the regulation of banking charges and fees in line with the practice in other European states.

Financial institutions, consumers and other interested parties, who wish to make submissions to assist the Competition Authority's investigation of the sector must do so by close of business today.

A spokesman said it had received a number of submissions ahead of the deadline and expected to get documents from the main banks as well as from its industry body, the Irish Bankers Federation.

The Director of Consumer Affairs has made a submission, as has the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.

This is the first major study of the sector to be undertaken by the authority and will focus on the provision of personal current accounts and loans to small and medium sized businesses. Once it has examined the submissions, it intends to begin a series of discussions with the various financial institutions. It will issue its report next spring.

The bank's chief executive, Mr Mark Duffy, said the Irish financial institutions that operate in the UK have co-operated to abolish certain anti-competitive practices in banking. "It is outrageous that the Irish banks refuse to offer their Irish customers the same benefits. Clearly this is a case of double standards and "Irish customers suffer poor choice and get poor value as a result," he said.

The Irish Payment Services Organisation, which operates the money transmission system and is regulated by the Central Bank, has rejected Mr Duffy's claims about restricted access to this system.

The difficulties it has noted in relation to the problems encountered by customers who wish to switch their bank accounts was highlighted in a similar investigation in the UK and resulted in changes to enhance competition.

The bank also highlights the common gripe within the financial services sector about the regulation of bank charges by the Director of Consumer Affairs. "Other European states do not regulate banking charges and fees. With rules in place, banks tend to adhere to the rules and do not look beyond them. In a competitive environment, where the charges are unregulated, banks are much more likely to act competitively, to the benefit of customers," according to the submission.