Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

She should at least consider doing so, especially in light of the findings of a recent survey showing that women work more than men. If I receive €5,000 per week, I would like to see the job I do because I do not receive that sum.

I take the issue of price increases seriously. It is also a serious issue for consumers and it was on that basis that I took action. I will continue to vigorously pursue issues of major importance to consumers. As Deputy Varadkar will be aware, many retailers in the Republic are involved in price tracking. Serious issues have arisen in comparative analyses between North and South and I will continue to pursue these vigorously.

I met the director general of IBEC and those within IBEC who are in charge of Retail Ireland. I then met Retail Ireland, which is made up of the largest retailers in the country as well as some small retailers. As the Deputy will be aware, Dunnes Stores is not part of Retail Ireland. I met the chief executive of Tesco as well as many other chief executives and those from the UK who made themselves available. I met senior management within all the groups. During our discussions both sides showed an appreciation that there are issues. We have seen modest reductions in some prices in recent weeks, as one would note if one tracked prices in newspaper articles or shops.

To ensure full transparency on the issue of the cost of doing business, I have asked Forfás to carry out a comparative analysis of the costs of business, North and South. This issue was raised by the retail companies. When one strips out most of the price differentials the National Consumer Agency found in the study it carried out on my behalf, one finds that the cost of doing business, North and South, is not necessarily an indicator of the real reasons.

The sterling differential must be passed on to consumers.

Equally, as a Deputy from a Border county, I wish to ensure that we have a strong retail sector in the South. It is incumbent on us all to ensure that happens and that people who are involved and working in that sector are assured of sustainable jobs. There is a need for a little patriotism in this country.

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