Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment met recently with the National Consumer Agency to discuss the high cost of foodstuffs in Ireland. In addition, many media reports state that basic foodstuffs are more expensive in Ireland than anywhere else.

The National Consumer Agency carries out numerous surveys and undertakes a great deal of research in regard to food prices. For the purpose of one particular survey, it purchased the same basket of items in each of the better known supermarkets and found there was only a 35 cent difference between them. This smacks of collusion or suggests competition is forcing the supermarkets to lower their prices. Is the Minister aware there is very little difference between the cost of a basket of goods purchased in either Tesco, Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and so on?

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