Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This matter has been discussed by the Government. Arising from that meeting it has been decided that the National Consumer Agency will again meet Retail Ireland, which is part of IBEC, in the near future to discuss the delays in passing on the benefits accruing from the appreciation of the euro. The Tánaiste will be talking to Retail Ireland in the morning. We have also arranged for contact to be made with the major retail outlets, both here and in the UK, in the coming days to ask what plans they may have to deal with any unjustified price differentials that exist.

The National Consumer Agency will undertake a greater number of surveys with particular emphasis on North-South pricing by big retailers across a whole range of goods from groceries to clothing. In addition, the National Consumer Agency will undertake a more extensive information campaign to keep consumers better informed on pricing developments. The advice from them that consumers split their grocery shopping basket if possible and seek value in the range of shops available to them remains valid.

The increase in the price of diesel seems to be linked to a huge demand in China. The price of diesel does not come under the auspices of the National Consumer Agency. It is a question of trying to do what we can in that respect. There is a background to the increase in oil prices that sets out that situation. The Government will do absolutely everything it can to ensure that public awareness is at its highest and that people are aware of the situation. Whatever assistance we can give, including, if possible, accommodating some of the suggestions made by the Deputy, will be given. The Tánaiste will contact, through meetings of the National Consumer Agency, Retail Ireland. She will write to the heads of the retail outlets in Ireland and in Britain to ascertain what plans they have to deal with the situation.

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