IRELAND ranked as the second most expensive country in the European Union last year, according to a new Eurostat survey.
Irish prices were the dearest for alcohol and tobacco and among the highest for other common items, the study found.
The survey of consumer price levels measures a range of goods under a number of categories including food, alcohol and tobacco, clothing, consumer electronics, personal transport equipment, and restaurants and hotels.
It reveals that Ireland was ranked above the EU average in five out of the six categories.
On the plus side, Ireland scored well in terms of the cost of consumer electronics and clothing.
The lowest prices for consumer electronics in the union were recorded in Britain.
