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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Soaring shopping bills hitting Irish as supermarkets profit – new laws will give watchdog power to tackle price gougers
INFLATION and the cost-of-living crisis is an ever-increasing strain on many Irish households. Recent CSO stats show that prices here continue to climb. 3 The cost-of-living crisis is an ever-increasing strain on many Irish households Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Ged Nash says the government must act on soaring grocery prices Credit: Damien Storan Inflation soared in 2022 to reach 9.2 per cent, mainly due to greater demand for oil and gas after the Energy prices surged again in the aftermath of It then remained well above the Some parts of the READ MORE ON COST OF LIVING Writing in IT'S time to get a grip on grocery prices and the Bill I brought to the The Unfair Prices Bill addresses the ever-spiralling cost of the weekly shop. It seeks to give new enforcement powers to the Most read in The Irish Sun This is something I've been arguing with the government over for two years, and I'm pleased they at last appear to be listening and did not vote against my Bill. That's a start. Cost Crisis Hitting Irish Businesses And Causing Closure Havoc For too many of the big international multiples, their pricing policy remains a mystery as does their Irish profits. We have theories, and some facts. But the truth is, we simply don't know exactly why the prices of basic goods in supermarkets here remain high. PROFIT MARGINS This Bill will put an onus on the consumer watchdog to collect and publish key data on the price of the shop, and in doing so the new draft law will make it a First and foremost, it will force the big businesses we all shop with to be more transparent. It will keep them honest. At a time when The cost of COSTS RISING The price of a pound of butter has risen by close to €1 over the past year to an average of €4.69, a jump of more than 26 per cent, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures. Beef, milk, cheese and lamb prices have all shot up in the last year and the latest figures from consultancy group Kantar shows price inflation in supermarkets is now running at 5 per cent, double what it was last year. All of this, when average wage growth looks set to come in at under 4 per cent this year. In other words, the hard-earned Cumulatively, grocery prices are up as much as 30 per cent over the past three years. 'GREEDFLATION' IS GROWING This means that a typical family is paying about €2,000 more for groceries a year. At the same time, the incomes of farmers and food producers are being squeezed, and the only winners are the supermarkets. The suspicion that 'greedflation' is at work is growing. In Ireland in 2025, we have hard-working parents opting to feed their children over themselves while food producers and multinational supermarkets rake in profits. As I've said many times, you can't eat good GOVERNMENT HELP NEEDED The government must help those who need it most. For the most part, this means investing in making our public services work better, and fairer wages for However, it also means governments making smart, pro-consumer interventions. So many of our state's watchdogs have a bark that's as weak as their bite and that is because they don't have the underpinning legislation to sink their teeth into those acting against the public interest. My Bill will give them the teeth to let them do what they were set up to do — protect the consumer against profiteering of big business. 3 The price of a pound of butter has risen by close to €1 over the past year Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Local swimming pool almost €5m over budget after ‘frustrating' 6-year project delay pain & new €20m final bill warning
A COMMUNITY swimming pool that was expected to cost less than €13 million has already cost nearly €18 million and even though construction began in 2019, it is still not open. The pool facility in Lucan in West Advertisement 4 Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin SAID ongoing delays have been 'enormously frustrating' Credit: Damien Storan/PA Wire 4 The Aura Lucan Leisure Campus is expected to open later this summer Credit: PR Handout image When it was originally costed in 2017, South Dublin County Council expected the final bill to be around €12.985 million. A project schedule from the time said that once the contract was awarded, it should only take fourteen months to construct. However, the A series of updates to queries from councillors show how the opening day for the swimming pool and leisure centre kept shifting. Advertisement READ MORE IRISH NEWS In late 2020, a local representative was told the handover date was meant to be February 2021, but that this had been moved back to June 2021. An update said: 'The project has been significantly delayed due firstly to poor weather conditions in the early part of 2020 and then the enforced closure of the site for a number of weeks during the COVID-19 In late 2021, another councillor was given an update saying the completion date was now likely to be in April or May of 2022. That date then got pushed to August 2022 though even that proved hopelessly optimistic. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Local Why Bright Swimsuits Can Save Your Kids' Lives A letter to him said: 'As you will be aware the project has been impacted significantly by various construction sector challenges.' By last year, the project still wasn't complete with councillors told in August 2024 that the local authority was still working with the contractor to 'agree a revised programme.' In February of this year, Deputy Eoin Ó Broin again sought an update and was told more resources were being provided to 'expedite project completion.' Advertisement South Dublin County Council had originally refused to provide details of how much they had so far spent on the project. However, following an appeal under FOI laws, they disclosed that costs so far were €17.87 million, which included €15.7 million in payments to the main contractor. 'ENORMOUSLY FRUSTRATING' That is unlikely to be the final bill though, and local representatives have been warned that an overall cost of around €20 million can be expected. Parts of the facility are in use, but the main swimming pool has yet to be opened to the public. Advertisement Ó Broin said: 'The ongoing delays have been enormously frustrating, but I'm satisfied that the council have done everything in their power to expedite the project. 'What I would say is the way in which procurement rules are imposed on local bodies is far too rigid. It means that when something goes wrong, it's very difficult to resolve those issues in a timely manner. 'The council has done a large number of capital projects, including housing and community facilities, and none of those have had the kind of delays that this centre has.' Asked about the project, South Dublin County Council said that the original contract price for the building, including VAT, was €13.5 million. Advertisement They said significant construction price index inflation had taken place since then leading to a higher cost. The council said delays in the project were regrettable but that they looked forward to the imminent handover of the gym and fitness studios later this summer. 4 Construction began on the state-of-the-art family friendly leisure centre in 2019 Credit: PR Handout image 4 The final cost of the project is now expected to rise to around €20 million. Credit: PR Handout image Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Penneys set to introduce new fee at checkout as warning issued to customers
Irish retailer Penneys is set to roll out a major change to its famous carrier bags from next week. The high-street store has been one of the only retailers left not to charge shoppers for its signature brown paper carrier bags at checkout tills. However, that will change from next Monday (May 12), with the company announcing that it is introducing a 15 cent fee in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use waste. Penneys bosses said in a statement: " Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we're always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. "That's why from May 12th 2025, we'll be introducing a 15c charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large. "Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It's a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. " We're committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we're taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags." Penneys bosses hope the new fee will encourage people to bring their own bags (Image: Damien Storan/PA Wire) Shoppers who want to avoid having to pay the 15c fee at checkout from next Monday are urged to bring their own r eusable shopping bag on their next visit to Penneys. "Already own a reusable shopping bag? Perfect, bring it along next time you pop in!" the statement from Penneys bosses added. "Repurposing a shopping bag is a more sustainable (and cost-effective) option. Have a dig through your cupboards or car boot, chances are you've already got one ready to go." Customers will also have the option of purchasing their own reusable shopping bags in a variety of sizes, starting from just € 1. They will be available at the tills in white or signature brown style, both made from sturdy materials designed to withstand numerous shopping trips. Customers who are after a more stylish option can also purchase canvas tote bags from Penneys all year round. Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Woman, 60s, rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by electronic scrambler on Dublin city centre road
A WOMAN, aged in her 60s, has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by an electronic scrambler. The horror incident occurred on Gardiner Street in Advertisement 1 A pedestrian is in a serious condition after the hit-and-run last night Credit: Damien Storan The woman, who was a pedestrian, was struck by an electronic scrambler that failed to remain at the scene. She is being treated in Beaumont Hospital for her serious injuries after being transferred from the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. In a statement a They said: "Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a road traffic collision on Gardiner Street in Dublin 1, yesterday evening, Thursday 1st May 2025. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS "The collision, involving a pedestrian and an electronic scrambler, occurred at approximately 7:30pm. "The e-scrambler failed to remain at the scene. "The road was closed for technical examination, and has since reopened. "The female pedestrian, aged in her 60s, was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, for treatment of serious injuries. Advertisement Most read in Irish News "Investigations are ongoing." I'm an Irish driving instructor and here is why your friends are failing the test Separately this morning motorists are advised to drive with caution this morning due to a number of obstructions on busy roads. Debris is sitting on the M1/N1 northbound between J15 Castlebellingham and J16 Dundalk. There is also debris sitting on the M4 Eastbound between Junction 8 Kilcock and Junction 7 Maynooth. Advertisement It comes after motorists were left swerving on the M2 in Antrim, Huge tail backs of traffic formed on the busy stretch after 5pm yesterday as they attempted to It is understood the clothing appear after a lorry shed its load. A Advertisement "Delays should be anticipated in the area.' 'HUGE RISK AND DANGER' And separately, Gardai in the Republic have issued a major safety alert ahead of a busy bank holiday on Irish roads. Officials are pleading with the public to not drive under the influence of Posting online Gardai said: "Since January, we have had to arrest more than 800 people on the roadside for driving while under the influence of drugs. Advertisement "This long weekend, please do not take your life and the lives of others into your hands by drug driving." And Jane Humphries Chief Superintendent, Road Policing Unit said: "We are appealing to everyone not to get behind the wheel of a car if you're under the influence of any intoxicants, especially drugs. "We know that drugs can impair your ability. It impairs your coordination, impairs your reaction time. "It causes a huge risk and a danger not only to yourself but to other road users." Advertisement
