Cabinet To Discuss Rip-Off Stores

Consumer outrage has prompted the cabinet to discuss the ongoing high prices faced by Irish consumers when it holds its regular weekly meeting in Dublin today.

The Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, will present a report to her fellow ministers following a recent meeting with the National Consumer Agency (NCA). The minister revealed she met NCA boss Ann Fitzgerald to discuss what action could be taken to force retailers to give shoppers the benefit of the fall in the value of sterling.

The talks were arranged after the Government came under fire over the failure of large chain stores, especially UK based traders, to reduce the price of certain imported goods due to the narrowing exchange rate between Sterling and the euro.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday, the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, said the Government would bring pressure to bear to ensure the consumer gets the best deal.

On Monday, the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) charity called on the Government to stand up for shoppers by targeting greedy retailers.

"The Government needs to look at what exactly are the costs of doing business in this country," said CAI chief executive Dermott Jewell.

"Even if it is 10% costlier to do business, there are very few businesses who are only charging that extra 10%.

"Let's get to the point and name and shame businesses who are abusing consumers by suggesting the higher prices are because of the costs of doing business here."

(DW)