I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together.
I am aware of reports of increases in the price of goods and services in the changeover to the euro. I am also aware that some prices have gone down, for example, public transport fares. I have repeatedly said that the introduction of the euro should not, of itself, require any trader to increase prices. However, prices increase all the time for legitimate reasons unconnected with the introduction of the euro and it is not clear that the rate of increase during the changeover period has been greater than it would otherwise have been. The consumer price index figures for October, November and December do not support suggestions that there were widespread, excessive increases in the run-up to the changeover. We will have to await the January figures to assess the position immediately following the changeover.
With regard to price monitoring, my Department does not have a role in this respect but the Director of Consumer Affairs has undertaken to closely monitor the CSO figures in the period surrounding the changeover and I will be maintaining on-going contact with her to ascertain any trends that may emerge. More generally, price control as a policy mechanism has not been pursued by any Government since the 1980s. Successive Governments since then have recognised that the encouragement of a competitive environment and promotion of greater price awareness is a much better way of ensuring value for money for consumers than the imposition of price controls. The introduction of the euro does not change this fact. There are legitimate grounds for price increases and it is a matter for the suppliers of goods and services, or the associations that represent them, to explain the basis for such increases as have occurred.
I urge consumers to be assertive in seeking explanations for price increases that they do not feel are justified. Consumers need to realise the power they have if they feel that they are not being treated fairly and that is to take their business elsewhere. Loss of business is the ultimate sanction for any trader.