Newsagents have complained to the Competition Authority about the way the Irish Daily Maildistributes its free DVDs and CDs on weekdays.

Under current arrangements, Associated Newspapers, which publishes the title, makes DVDs and CDs available through Eason bookshops and Dunnes Stores outlets only. Readers can also get the discs through the mail by collecting tokens and paying for post and packaging.

The Convenience Stores' & Newsagents' Association, (CSNA) which represents about 1,500 retailers, believes this discriminates against its members around the State, who are unable to provide the DVDs and CDs to customers.

Vincent Jennings, CSNA chief executive, confirmed that a complaint had been lodged with the Competition Authority. He said he had also made contact with the National Consumer Agency.

"The current system is not fair," Mr Jennings said. "The promotion must be made available to everybody. It's all or nothing."

Oliver Keenaghan, general manager of Associated Newspapers in Ireland, said the paper's late deadlines meant it was not possible to carry a disc with each edition on weekdays.

The Irish Daily Mailsells about 60,000 copies a day in Ireland. It's understood that about 15,000 discs are made available.

He said the group had met the CSNA and offered to operate a scheme for its members in Tipperary and Kildare. This has yet to be agreed by the CSNA.

"We're ready and willing to go on that," Mr Keenaghan said.