Retail sector to face questions about pricing policies

Representatives of the retail sector are set to face questions about their pricing policies when they appear before the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee today.

The committee is currently investigating why shoppers in Ireland are being charged significantly more for basic goods than consumers north of the border.

A survey by the National Consumer Agency has found that retailers in Ireland charge around 30% more for grocery items and around 50% more for goods like clothing and electrical items.

Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan has also said that higher operating costs in Ireland do not explain the massive price differences.

The situation has already led to a major upsurge in the number of people who are travelling to the North to do their shopping.