Supermarket giants may be forced to disclose Irish accounts

THE Government is considering forcing major supermarket chains to publicise their accounts over allegations they are making excessive profits on food.

In a deepening row over grocery prices, Taoiseach Brian Cowen bowed to pressure to re-examine legal loopholes that allow retail giants to keep their Irish takings secret.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said revelations this week that food was almost 30% dearer in Ireland than in the rest of Europe – at a time when farmers and producers were being squeezed – was simply unacceptable.