As I indicated in reply to Question No. 18 on 15 February 1990, the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade has at my request:
already undertaken a survey of certain grocery prices to determine whether the favourable movement in pound-sterling exchange rate was reflected in lower retail prices; and
put arrangements in place to monitor price movements consequent upon the recent reduction from 25 per cent to 23 per cent in the standard rate of VAT.
In recognition of its work in the consumer area, I recently provided direct Exchequer financial assistance to the Consumers Association of Ireland from my Department's Vote. This is the first such allocation for over 20 years.
Moreover, as I pointed out in reply to Question No. 25, on 5 December 1989, my colleague, the Minister for Health, provided State funding both in 1988 and 1989, which has assisted in the procurement by the association of substantial financial assistance from the EC Commission.