Weakened by strong sterling

THERE has been a public preoccupation with the effect of the sterling currency’s strength on prices in our shops.

Ministers have been kept busy in the Dáil, soothing TDs upset by shops not reducing prices of imported goods, and by queues of north-bound cross-border shoppers.

Ministers have been happy to pander to the worries of our shopkeepers and shoppers — but the most pressing need is to protect the exports that keep our country afloat from the currency trends.