John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The results of several surveys released in recent weeks strongly indicate that the Irish consumer is still paying a premium for groceries compared with consumers in other EU countries. Supermarket chains across the country have refused to disclose their profit margins. The rumour that Tesco dubs this country "Treasure Island" is well known. Although families are struggling to cope with the downturn, major supermarkets are pushing prices even higher than the boom time rates. A survey by the Consumers' Association of Ireland found that the price of 16 out of 19 popular and essential grocery items had increased by between 12% and 32% since 2011, against the background of a 1.7% inflation rate. Almost all of the products cost more than they did at the height of the boom, costing the average family an extra €870 a year. There are also strong indications of widespread price matching among these chains. They are extracting colossal profits from this country. Is it not time they gave something back?

Combat Poverty, when it was in existence, Social Justice Ireland and the Society of St. Vincent De Paul have used the word "profound" when talking about food deprivation and food poverty. Many of these supermarket chains have no compassion whatsoever when they hear of people suffering from food deprivation. They have no compunction about increasing their profits. I was in a house last week with a mother and four children. The mother was ill and the eldest daughter, who is 14, was making dinner. I was saddened and upset to see that the dinner consisted of beans and chips. That is wrong. It was their Sunday dinner. They are struggling to make food last until they receive their social welfare payments on Tuesday or Wednesday. That is unacceptable and it is wrong when one sees the profits the supermarket chains make.

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