Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy noted, food prices in Ireland have decreased significantly since that survey was conducted last year. The latest bulletin from the Central Statistics Office, which is the statutory agency for these matters, indicates that the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages fell by 6.3% in the 12 months to May 2010. That compares to an increase in food prices of 1.5% over the same period in the UK, as recorded in the latest retail prices index published by the UK Office for National Statistics. The differential in food prices is narrowing, therefore.

I take the point that we must continue to work on finding a balance between producers and consumers. Those who produce our food should be able to obtain a living. Thankfully, there have been increases in the price of milk in recent months. The volatility in exchange rates between sterling and the euro has not been helpful in terms of ensuring full price transparency or equating changes and trends, but the overall position is that food prices have been decreasing in Ireland.

Historically, we have had a situation in which we needed to work towards a code of practice. In September, John Travers was appointed by then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come forward with proposals. In addition to the cost of living, there are labour costs, energy prices and rents.

The Deputy posed a question on food prices which I will have to refer to the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Billy Kelleher, for further investigation.

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