PDs vow to stamp out 'rip-off' culture

The Progressive Democrats have called for an end to Ireland's "rip-off" culture.

Addressing the annual party conference in Galway last night, the Tánaiste Mary Harney acknowledged that Irish consumers are being fleeced and vowed to do away with anti-competitive practices which are leading to price increases.

"We've got to squeeze out inflation and we've got to, for once and for all, end the rip-off culture which is fleecing our consumers," she said.

"We've got to rid this country of so many of the archaic laws, restrictive practices and anti-competitive behaviour that is leading to high prices and poor quality of service."