Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that her Department is taking to monitor prices and report excessive price increases in light of the warning from the Consumers' Association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17938/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The responsibility of the Government regarding the prices of goods and services is generally limited to ensuring that markets are working properly for the benefit of consumers and of the economy as a whole. Many people in the country share concerns over the price of goods and services, and emphasise that the Government is acutely aware of the difficulties which price increases pose for the average Irish consumer and our tourists. However, we must note the progress made in bringing inflation below the Government target of 2%, which we set last year, with the inflation rate for May being 1.7%.

The National Competitiveness Council and the Competition Authority undertake on a continuous basis investigations into the competitiveness of the Irish economy and the level of competition within it. Those investigations highlight the key areas that require attention to enhance Ireland's competitiveness and economic performance.

As Deputies know, I have also set up the new consumer strategy group, whose main role is to advise and make recommendations for the development of a national consumer policy strategy. In the performance of that role, the group is entitled to initiate studies which demonstrate objectively whether Irish consumers are getting a fair deal. The group has announced its public consultation on consumer issues and invited individual consumers, representative organisations, businesses and any other interested parties to contact it with views and submissions by 9 July next. The group is to produce a final report to me by the end of 2004.

With regard to other measures, I mention the ongoing work of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, which has published and highlighted the results of price surveys of products ranging from products such as CDs to petrol, car insurance to drinks prices over a rugby weekend, and potatoes to over-the-counter medicines.

As well as price surveys, the consumer is assisted in making purchasing choices through the four price display orders made under the Prices Acts and by the European Communities (Requirement to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002, which oblige retailers to display prices and, where appropriate, the unit price for products. Consumers have their part to play in acting on such information and seeking out the most competitive prices available.