Madam, - As a musician, I travel the world frequently and can compare prices of goods here in Ireland with those in other countries. Apart from food, restaurants, hotels and housing, which are incredibly expensive in Ireland, the pendulum swings fairly evenly. However, the price of one particular item in Ireland makes me gasp and feel very sad. It is the price of Jameson's Whiskey.
On recent visits abroad a 70ml bottle of Jameson's cost me less than €10 in Japan and in France less than €15. At my local supermarket in Carrick-on-Suir it costs just under €25.
The manager assures me that the profit made per bottle is insignificant.
Can anyone out there explain to me such a difference in price and the reasoning behind it? - Yours, etc,
JOHN ELWES, Kilballyquilty, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford.