Figures released by the Department of Finance show consumers in the Republic are charged up to 25 per cent more for alcohol and fuel than those in the North.
Pre-tax prices for a range of products that are subject to excise tax - including alcohol, home heating oil and diesel - are on average 14 per cent more expensive here. When Government taxes are added, the price difference rises to 25 per cent.
Some items, such as vodka and long-neck beers, can cost as much as 43 per cent more, while home heating oil is 44 per cent more expensive. However, petrol and cigarettes are significantly cheaper in the Republic. The figures were obtained by Fine Gael under the Freedom of Information Act.
The party's finance spokesman, Mr Richard Bruton, claimed they show the Government and retailers are complicit in ripping off Irish consumers.
"Government have fuelled the rip-off by losing control of the public purse before the last election and ending up having to resort to higher consumer taxes to try and balance the books."
He said higher taxes explain three-quarters of the price difference in wine and spirits and about half the difference in beer and home heating oil.
Despite the tax disparity, Mr Bruton said retailers were also to blame for higher prices as there was a much larger mark-up in the Republic.
"The only relief is cheaper motor fuel to get you up North to do your shopping, and cheaper cigarettes despite all the hype from Government about being anti-smoking," he said.
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