We’re paying heavy price for capitalism

In Jun 2010 the Government negotiated the Croke Park Agreement with the public sector trade unions.

Both sides agreed to hold the maxima of wage scales constant until 2014. No attempt was made to control consumer prices.

The latest CSO figures show that prices have increased by 5% overall from Jun 2010 to Aug 2012. In the same period, the price of petrol at the pumps has gone up by 25%.