Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. Having listened to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as to Senators Leyden and Morrissey, it is obvious that the concept of rip-off Ireland is beginning to hurt politically. Throughout the year, lip-service was paid to the notion, but it was recognised by the Tánaiste, the then Minister with responsibility in the area of consumer prices, that a response was needed. She established the National Competitiveness Council to make recommendations before the end of this year, but prices continued to increase. There has been a 20% increase in prices over the past five years and a 24% increase in electricity charges. Senator Morrisey must have no electricity in his house given that he has not recognised that latter increase. Postal and TV licence charges have risen. Any service charge one mentions has increased. Is it ironic that today we are talking of consumer price increases and competition while it is the Government which has restricted competition?

In every area in respect of which it has responsibility, the Government has restricted and curtailed competition. A prime example of this is the airline industry. What happened in this area? Ryanair introduced competition and stifled the increases that would have occurred if matters had remained solely in the hands of Aer Lingus and if there had been no competition. Aer Lingus has been obliged to reduce its prices as a result of that competition. Those who want to criticise Ryanair state that its cabin crew are not as active as they should be in delivering in-flight services. That is humbug. The reality is that the Government has failed to allow competition in the area over which it has greatest control. That is some indictment.

Everything the Minister stated earlier is a clear indication that he intends to respond to the hurt caused by rip-off Ireland. On "Prime Time" last night he stated that the concept of rip-off Ireland is Fine Gael propaganda. Senator Leyden also attacked the concept earlier. This despite the fact that he stated in the House at the beginning of the year that he was going to name and shame all of those petrol stations with higher fuel prices on his route from Roscommon to Dublin. What happened? The Senator was afraid to name and shame those involved. He has failed, just like the Government in respect of the areas for which it has responsibility, to do anything.

The Tánaiste has made statements about the matter under discussion. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism also made comments about good value in restaurants. However, while the Minister criticised the various hotels and restaurants throughout the country for the escalation in prices and the poor value for money on offer, he is withdrawing from his previous stance and has come to the realisation that rip-off Ireland is real and genuine.

The Consumers Association of Ireland is no longer effective and Carmel Foley seems to have become invisible.