Dublin still third most expensive EU capital

"DEAR old Dublin", living up to its costly reputation, is named in a new report as the third most expensive capital city in the EU.

And things could soon get worse as the cost of housing in the capital may rise further as the four local authorities in the Dublin area consider the radical proposal of introducing a €10,000 levy on new houses.

Only London and Copenhagen are more expensive, according to a new worldwide cost of living survey for 2003.