TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen used an expletive in the Dáil following questions about the effectiveness of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) in dealing with cost of living increases.
Mr Cowen said: "Ring those people and get a handle on it, will you? Bring in all those f***ers."
He muttered the comment to Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who sat beside him in the chamber.
Mr Cowen was clearly under the impression that the house microphone had been switched off at the end of Opposition leaders' questions. The exchange was not audible in the chamber and so was not registered on the official Dáil record.
His remarks followed questions from Labour leader Eamon Gilmore who had complained about the "rip-off of Irish consumers by British retailers with shops located in Ireland".
Mr Gilmore also hit out at the sharp rise in the price of diesel which had "shot ahead" of petrol.
"It appears the oil companies are engaged in some kind of cartel activity in order to hike up the price of diesel and rip off motorists and hauliers."
He asked what the Taoiseach intended to do to "encourage the National Consumer Agency, which was established by the Oireachtas, to act more effectively in the interests of consumers?"
Mr Cowen said, "It is intended to discuss these matters with the chief executive of the agency."
He said, "It is the responsibility of the agency to protect consumer interests. The Tánaiste will pursue with the agency's chief executive the further policy issues that can be articulated or implemented to assist in resolving this matter."
Mr Gilmore referred to a recent survey that showed that goods in the "Irish branches of British retail outlets are up to 50 per cent higher than those charged in their UK shops.
The survey provided details in respect of a number of British retailers - Tesco, Marks Spencer, Argos, Laura Ashley etc. - that have branches in Ireland.
"These higher prices are being charged despite the fact that the euro has strengthened against sterling."
The Labour leader pointed out that the Government "stood down the groceries order and stated that increased competition would lead to a reduction in prices.
"However, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the abolition of the groceries order, Tesco - the chief executive of which pays himself £10 million sterling per annum - is charging up to 50 per cent more for goods in Ireland than it does at its UK branches." The NCA "does not appear to have taken direct action to protect consumers from the rip-off prices being charged by some retail outlets".
Referring to the price of diesel, which now costs up to €1.39 a litre, Mr Gilmore said, "The only explanation appears to be that the oil companies, anticipating a shift by motorists to diesel cars and other diesel-powered vehicles as a result of environmental concerns, are taking the opportunity to hike up the price."
The Taoiseach replied that "the question of profiteering in respect of imports as a result of the difference in the currency exchange rate is a matter for the National Consumer Agency, the Competition Authority and the department".
The Labour leader warned, however, that "if the rip-offs being visited upon consumers are not curtailed by the retailers responsible for them, the Government will be obliged to take action to remedy the situation." Mr Gilmore said a shopper had told him that "she requested to pay the sterling exchange rate for a particular item. However, the retailer insisted on charging her the higher euro price."
Mr Cowen said the issue was of concern and he added that "the price of oil and diesel is a matter that must be addressed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with the relevant agencies. There is a need to ensure that there is transparency as regards pricing arrangements."
