"'Rip-off Ireland' blamed on Government inaction"

ejmaztec

So, what do you folks think of this, and what can our wonderful:pac: government do about it? They could probably do something about extortionate energy costs, and possibly reduce the minimum wage, but what else is there that won't go against EU laws?

As far as I'm concerned, whatever could be done, should have been done 6 months ago, at least.

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/ripoff-ireland-blamed-on-government-inaction-94813.html

By Niamh Hennessy
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
CONSUMERS will pay over the odds for goods and services in Ireland as long as the Government continues to ignore calls to lower the cost of doing business here, it has been claimed.
As part of an investigation into whether Irish consumers are receiving value for money – published today in the Irish Examiner – retailers, restaurant owners, publicans and supermarkets have all said prices are higher in Ireland compared with other countries because of the high VAT rate, as well as energy and wage costs.

Responding to the issue, chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, David Fitzsimons said that since before Christmas, retailers have being doing everything in their power to address the issue of price and value.

"Behind the scenes they have lobbied for change in areas outside their control that, if addressed, would have a considerable impact on the retailers’ ability to reduce prices further," he said.

Tesco has also suggested that as long as the cost of doing business in Ireland remains high so too will many prices. The supermarket has attempted to lure Irish customers with incentives such as price parity on clothes and a range of discount items at its border stores.

Chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins went on to reveal that despite offering cut-price meals and considerable discounts, restaurants are continuing to struggle.

"There are huge costs involved in running a business here," he said.

Figures due to be released shortly will reveal the cost of running a restaurant in Ireland is 23% more expensive than in the rest of Europe.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland also said that pubs were merely charging the prices needed to survive.

"Price is a top way of attracting customers but it’s a matter of surviving too and paying the bills," said a VFI spokesman.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/ripoff-ireland-blamed-on-government-inaction-94813.html#ixzz0JLrKHLEK&C

bladespin

Insurance - we pay crazy rates here in comparison still.
Rates - as above.
Rent - (possibly changing now) rent controls should have been introduced long ago.
Energy - you said it yourself.
Transport - we're an island, it'll always cost more to get product to point of sale.
Services - accountants, solicitors, auditors etc crazy fees.

cfcj

bladespin wrote: »

Insurance - we pay crazy rates here in comparison still.
Rates - as above.
Rent - (possibly changing now) rent controls should have been introduced long ago.
Energy - you said it yourself.
Transport - we're an island, it'll always cost more to get product to point of sale.
Services - accountants, solicitors, auditors etc crazy fees.

We pay more insurance than who exactly?

Energy we need to import a huge chunk of it, if you are going to compare us to places like the UK or other countries that have these huge infrastructures that produce energy where we don't then I think its foolish.

We live in a free market where the government doesn't control the domestic or commercial rental market. Believe me no politician is going to go in with an election promise to do that! As for sevices... well its a supply and demand market and has been inflated by people willing to pay the price mixed with the greed in asking it.

I can't understand this need for over regulation.