Government to Lobby UK Retailers
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From the Irish Times:
The Government is to demand that UK retailers pass on savings to Irish shoppers from the current euro/sterling exchange rate, the Dáil heard today.
The Labour Party had claimed that stores like Tesco and Marks & Spencer were ripping off customers with mark-ups of as much as 50 per cent on some products.
However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today that the Government would be writing to UK retailers on the issue to discuss the delay in passing on the benefits accruing from the appreciation of the euro.
“The Tánaiste will be writing to the heads of the major retail outlets both here and in the UK in coming days to find out from them what plans they may have to deal with any unjustified price differentials that may exist,” he said.
Fair play to them for expressing concern, but the skeptic in me just loves this. They’re going to write letters. You think the head of Tesco has any clue who Mary Coughlan is? I really doubt that action this passive is going to do anything.
If the government are so concerned about our personal finances, then how about re-evaluating some of their own policies? How about eliminating some of the double and triple taxation we face? How about getting rid of frivilous fees and charges such as the government levys on laser, credit cards and chequebooks?
Cynicism aside, at lease it’s something! 
Here here, the levies on our plastic is the most obnoxious and sneaky of taxes.
What about Aldi and Lidl ? They charge more in Ireland than in their home markets but yet no-one seems to go chasing them ? Is it because the average Joe only thinks he’s being ripped-off when he sees it spelled out on a price tag and couldn’t be bothered checking websites ?
Look at Lidl this week - wooden bench is £69 up North and 99euro down here - a difference of around 11euro.