The great rip-off - Time to slash soaring prices

EVER since the EU introduced the euro a blatant rip-off has been going on in virtually every facet of Irish life.

Visitors and Irish people alike have been hit where it hurts in their pockets. Prices soared in shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants, not to mention housing, medicine and education.

This country is the rip-off capital of the EU. Making matters worse, the jealously guarded image of Ireland of the Welcomes has been severely tarnished as visitors seem more likely to encounter surliness than a smile nowadays.