Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I have figures for the period January 2005 to date. April 2006 is highlighted as the first month for which data was available following the repeal of the groceries order in March 2006. It can be seen that prices for items affected and not affected by the groceries order increased up to May 2006. Since then items previously covered by the groceries order have fallen in price and are now showing a modest, overall annual decrease of 0.2%. Items that were never covered by the groceries order have continued to display increases and now show an annual increase of 3.5%.

In answer to Deputy Curran's question, items previously covered by the groceries order have fallen in price for the first time since the lifting of the groceries order.

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