Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Euro Changeover.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

99 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions she intends to take arising from a number of surveys conducted since the introduction of the euro which showed that Irish consumers are paying well above the European norm for many goods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3329/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

I am aware of a number of surveys undertaken recently which have compared prices charged for various products in Ireland to the prices charged for the same products in other EU member states. They showed that Irish consumers pay higher prices in some cases and lower prices in others. I am also aware that there have been some complaints that not all of the comparisons were valid and, accordingly, that the surveys were flawed in some respects.

I welcome these surveys as I believe that one of the great advantages of the euro is that it facili tates this type of price comparison and should, in time, lead to a convergence of pricing across the euro zone to the benefit of consumers. However, it is important that we have comprehensive and reliable information on which to base judgments about the reasonableness of the pricing of goods and services in Ireland as compared to other euro zone states. For this reason, I have asked Forfás to undertake a comprehensive and rigorous study of this matter and I look forward to its report in due course.