Tánaiste rejects claim border traders being ‘strangled’

THE Tánaiste has rejected claims that border traders are “being strangled” by government policies.

As the tide of southern shoppers flowing north continues, Trade Minister Mary Coughlan said she does not accept the arguments put forward by southern-based retailers.

She presented RGDATA and other retail lobby groups with a report last night which shows the costs of doing business in the south are no different to those incurred by retailers in the north.

The meeting followed criticism from RGDATA director-general Tara Buckley earlier in the day.

She claimed that traders along the border were effectively “being strangled” by government policies.

“These range from higher charges, costly regulations and a host of other measures that crucially undermine their competitiveness compared to traders in Northern Ireland.

“Retailers require firm government intervention. This situation is extremely difficult and retailers in border areas feel that the Government has one hand extended seeking extra taxes, levies and higher rates while the other hand is throttling their very ability to compete.”

But Ms Coughlan, speaking in Cork, rejected RGDATA’s claims. She said she would ask retailers to show her where the sterling price differential is being passed on and where they see the extra costs.

The minister also had a message for consumers.

“Yes, we have to have value for money and yes you have to shop around. But every euro spent means we contribute to a job in retail here. And it’s incumbent on retailers to make sure we have a retail industry here and in order for that to happen they must provide value for money for their consumers in the south.”