Social partnership is a two-way street, minister

IRISH inflation’s surge last month to 3.8% gives those with a predisposition for bad news fresh ammunition to have a go at the Government and its failure to keep its own costs down.

Service inflation is a major part of the figure, and is accounted for by various Government charges.

And despite the hike in energy charges the opposition are right in pointing to the fact that much of the inflationary pressure is being generated by the State.