It's Official - Ireland Is EU's Most Expensive State

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From today's Examiner (Click >> here << for original):

Ireland is EU's most expensive state

By Seán McCárthaigh
IRELAND is the most expensive of the EU's 25 states and that's official.

We pay more for food, alcohol and tobacco than any of our fellow EU citizens.

In a worrying development for the tourism industry, an annual EU survey reveals the cost of eating, drinking and smoking in Ireland is 44% above the average. A 2003 survey of prices, including the 10 accession states, found a basket of food, beverages and cigarettes in Ireland costs about 2.6 times more than in Poland the cheapest country in the EU where prices for the same products are just 55% of the EU average.

Only Norway and Iceland, both outside the EU, charge higher prices for these products.

The dramatic contrast in prices between Ireland and the rest of Europe is partially explained by the inclusion for the first time of the 10 new EU states where prices are generally lower.

But prices in Ireland were still 36% above average, compared to the 15 mainly western European countries that formed the EU up to last April.

Consumers' Association of Ireland chairman Michael Kilcoyne said the findings could have a major impact on tourism.

"The survey reflects what we've been saying for years about huge prices. However, the Government is partly responsible because of the high levels of indirect taxation, including 13.5% VAT on some food," said Mr Kilcoyne.

The survey, which looked at 450 products in each of the 25 countries, shows a range of foodstuffs in Ireland is more expensive than elsewhere in Europe.

Vegetables are 43% above the EU average, even though food in general is just 25% higher.

Ireland also charges less for bread and cereals than Denmark, Austria, Finland and Sweden, but prices are still 22% above the average.

Meat is more expensive in France, Belgium, Denmark and many other countries, but Irish meat prices are still 18% above the EU average.

Despite Ireland's reputation as a large dairy producer, prices for milk, cheese and eggs are 28% dearer. Fruit also costs 40% more than the average, while chocolate is only dearer in Cyprus and Denmark.

In only one area oils, fats and spreads is Ireland cheaper.

The price of tea and coffee is 46% above the EU average. Given that a pint of lager is cheaper than a pint of mineral water or cola in Irish pubs, it is no surprise that juices and soft drinks are 43% more expensive.

However, it is the cost of cigarettes largely due to annual increases in Government taxes that has pushed Ireland to the head of the EU's most expensive country list. Tobacco products are a massive 84% dearer than the EU average.

The report also reveals the biggest discrepancies in prices between countries in the eurozone relate to alcohol and cigarettes, followed by fruit and soft drinks.

While the survey says there is uncertainty in comparing prices, it highlights how Ireland is among a group of countries, including Britain, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, that are considerably more expensive than other EU states.

Of the 10 new EU states, only Cyprus recorded price levels above the average. Food, drink and tobacco prices in other accession states, excluding Slovenia and Malta, are less than 80% of the EU average.

Xcom2

Why does this not surprise me?

The Real B-man

stick that in pipe and smoke it bertie RIP OFF! shouldn't it be looked into by the EU??