High cost of services must be tackled

WHILE the falling rate of inflation, down for the fifth time in as many months, is to be welcomed, the reality is that Ireland remains uncompetitive and continues to lag behind other EU countries.

The Government deserves no plaudits for this latest improvement as its policies are responsible for driving up prices through a web of hidden taxes.

In reality, it was the summer sales, with lower clothing and footwear prices, plus reductions in mortgage repayments following the ECB interest rate cut, which had the most significant impact on the annual rate, which currently stands at 3.1%, the lowest since November 1999 but well behind the average EU rate of 1.9%.