A recent shopping basket price survey of 30 of the most popular grocery items revealed a broad similarity in prices across supermarket chains throughout the country.

The survey was conducted by the Director of Consumer Affairs in co-operation with the Consumers' Association of Ireland.

According to the Consumer Watch, the newsletter of the European Consumer Centre, the director has expressed her concern at the lack of price competition among the multiples and has forwarded the results of the survey to the Competition Authority for investigation.

The director is also monitoring pub and petrol prices around the State. A survey of petrol stations carried out recently revealed that some garages were charging almost 16 per cent more than others nearby. Motorists are urged to shop around for petrol.