Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

When the Taoiseach entered Government in 1997 the inflation rate bequeathed to him was 1.5% and it is now 5%. Irish exporters and manufacturers who sell goods to the UK face ferocious competition because of the value of sterling versus the euro. British multiples and companies that sell on the Irish high street blatantly rip-off and exploit Irish consumers with astonishing price mark-ups.

When the Taoiseach has spare time in the next several weeks, I invite him to take a stroll through Dunnes Stores, Marks and Spencer and other shops operating on both sides of the Border. He will see items marked at STG£3.50 which are then translated into €6.

Many public resources go into the Competition Authority. What kind of competition allows shops to rip-off people? There are many fine people on the National Consumer Agency. What are they doing to ensure the translation of prices from sterling is reasonable? It is a blatant rip-off.

For some time interest rates have not been increased by the European Central Bank which means it is not driving our inflation rate. We have a falling construction market and an easing of house prices. The Taoiseach's analysis is wrong. We are importing a significant amount of inflation through UK multiples and Irish multiples which buy from the UK, making massive profits through the mark-up from sterling to euro.

Is that fair on the ordinary consumer? What can €50 buy someone in a supermarket? How far does €250 go for a family shopping? It is leaving shopping trolleys half-empty. What does the Government propose to do about this?

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