Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Let us put matters in perspective. At the Estimates meeting this morning, I stated that we pay ourselves the second highest wage rates in the European Union. If we think we can continue to do so and have the cheapest prices, we need to get real. This is a question of supply and demand and the economic development which has taken place in Ireland has fuelled increased prices for housing and other commodities. One sure way of driving prices down would be if Intel and Hewlett Packard closed in Leixlip — it would take €100,000 or €150,000 off the price of every house in Lucan, Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth and so on. Recession is one way of driving prices down.

Nonetheless, according to recent survey, Spain and Ireland have the cheapest petrol prices. Therefore, it is not the case that Ireland is the most expensive in every category. I examined Fine Gael's suggestions in its local elections manifesto. It wants local authorities to employ consumer gurus to go into companies and check margins. I would love to see the guru in Kildare going into Intel and asking to have a look at the company's margin. It is a Kremlin-like activity.

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