ISME blames Govt for inflation increase

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises has claimed Ireland would have negative inflation if it weren't for stealth taxes and charges being imposed by the Government.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office today showed that Ireland's inflation rate had risen slightly to 2.2% last month.

Responding to the figures, ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said the Government was responsible for most of the price rises.

"[Inflation] would be much, much lower - in fact, we would have negative inflation - if Government took their foot off the areas where they're driving inflation, such as local government charges and allowing electricity costs to increase at 45% in the last three years," he said.