Rip-off products cost 50% more here than in North

BEER, wine, spirits and home heating oil cost up to 50% more here than in Northern Ireland, according to Government figures.

But the prices of cigarettes and tobacco products are slightly lower than across the Border, figures obtained by Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton from the Department of Finance show.

Consumers in the Republic pay 49% more for a bottle of beer and 44% more for home heating oil, the statistics revealing the rip-off culture show.