‘Rip-off Ireland’ blamed on Government inaction

CONSUMERS will pay over the odds for goods and services in Ireland as long as the Government continues to ignore calls to lower the cost of doing business here, it has been claimed.

As part of an investigation into whether Irish consumers are receiving value for money – published today in the Irish Examiner – retailers, restaurant owners, publicans and supermarkets have all said prices are higher in Ireland compared with other countries because of the high VAT rate, as well as energy and wage costs.

Responding to the issue, chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, David Fitzsimons said that since before Christmas, retailers have being doing everything in their power to address the issue of price and value.