Opposition TDs today called on the Government to beef up the National Consumer Agency to stave off a potential 10 per cent hike in the price of everyday goods over the winter.
Phil Hogan, Fine Gael TD
The cost of electricity is set to rise along with gas, but the warning from AIB economist John Beggs that inflation will also hit basic items hard is seen as a major worry for families.
The constant rise in the cost of fuel and housing is being blamed for having a knock-on effect.
But Phil Hogan, Fine Gael Carlow-Kilkenny TD, called on Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin to intervene. "The prediction by AIB economist John Beggs that the price of essential items will increase by 10 per cent towards the end of this year, and that general inflation will reach 5 per cent, will send shivers down the spine of households across the country," he said.
"With prices rising this fast we are facing into a winter of household discontent."
Fine Gael accused the Minister of having a "laissez-faire" attitude to consumer rights claiming he is yet to publish the heads of a Bill to establish a tough National Consumer Agency.
"We need the immediate implementation of the National Consumer Agency Bill and a declaration by the Minister that he will strengthen the original remit of the Agency in order to give essential support to consumers," Mr Hogan said.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party urged Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to sit down with the British government over fears North Sea gas supplies are ever-decreasing while energy demands are soaring.
Despite two new pipelines being built the British authorities feel they have been cancelled out as resources are used up.
Tommy Broughan, Labour Party spokesman on energy, said gas prices would rise by 34 per cent this winter but there was a risk they could go up again. "We are almost entirely dependent on imported natural gas that is sourced from the UK, especially for the generation of electricity," Mr Broughan said.