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07/08/2008
Minister Determined To Ensure Consumers Get 'Fair Deal'
Irish consumers need to get a fair deal on price, choice and quality in their weekly shopping basket.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan has today signalled her determination to ensure that they do: "Irish consumers have suffered significant increases in the price of a range of essential goods over the past year, most notably in their weekly grocery shopping.
"While global factors have plated a significant element in this price rise, we are determined in Government to ensure that Irish consumers are getting a fair deal at home."
The Tánaiste was speaking at the Dublin offices of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) where she sought an update on their work over the ten weeks since she tasked them with raising awareness, highlighting the options available to consumers and, as a result, encouraging increased competition between retailers.
She also reviewed the outcome of the NCA's most recent Grocery Price Comparison Survey and discussed the NCA's work plan on the issue for the coming months.
The Tánaiste said that the primary roles of Government are to arm consumers with all the necessary facts and figures to make an informed choice and to ensure that there is effective competition at all levels of the supply chain.
Anne Fitzgerald, NCA Chief Executive, told reporters she believed consumers were starting to take advantage of the benefits of shopping around.
Meanwhile, shopping centres in the North have recently seen a 40% surge in shoppers crossing the border to snap up bargains.
Border-hopping consumers are exploiting the fact that branded goods are about a third cheaper in the North.
New research reveals that the Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry has seen a 35% rise in shoppers from the South this year.
According to figures prepared by Belfast company Spirit Marketing, Newry's Buttercrane Shopping Centre has also seen a 40% rise in what is now called 'euro tourism'.
See: Cabinet To Discuss Rip-Off Stores
(JM)
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan has today signalled her determination to ensure that they do: "Irish consumers have suffered significant increases in the price of a range of essential goods over the past year, most notably in their weekly grocery shopping.
"While global factors have plated a significant element in this price rise, we are determined in Government to ensure that Irish consumers are getting a fair deal at home."
The Tánaiste was speaking at the Dublin offices of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) where she sought an update on their work over the ten weeks since she tasked them with raising awareness, highlighting the options available to consumers and, as a result, encouraging increased competition between retailers.
She also reviewed the outcome of the NCA's most recent Grocery Price Comparison Survey and discussed the NCA's work plan on the issue for the coming months.
The Tánaiste said that the primary roles of Government are to arm consumers with all the necessary facts and figures to make an informed choice and to ensure that there is effective competition at all levels of the supply chain.
Anne Fitzgerald, NCA Chief Executive, told reporters she believed consumers were starting to take advantage of the benefits of shopping around.
Meanwhile, shopping centres in the North have recently seen a 40% surge in shoppers crossing the border to snap up bargains.
Border-hopping consumers are exploiting the fact that branded goods are about a third cheaper in the North.
New research reveals that the Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry has seen a 35% rise in shoppers from the South this year.
According to figures prepared by Belfast company Spirit Marketing, Newry's Buttercrane Shopping Centre has also seen a 40% rise in what is now called 'euro tourism'.
See: Cabinet To Discuss Rip-Off Stores
(JM)
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Ireland WeatherToday:Dry start on east coast otherwise cloudy with outbreaks of rain accompanied by strong southerly winds. Some heavy rain later, with some short lived very hevay squally bursts, then western and central areas turning clearer and less windy. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Remaining rain in east quickly clearing this evening then a dry evening and night with long clear periods and lighter winds. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
