Irish consumers are being charged up to 60 per cent more for goods than their British counterparts, it was claimed today.
A survey in the Sunday Business Post revealed widespread price mark-ups by Irish outlets of British retail chains, with items such as DVDs and household equipment among the worst-affected.
It was claimed that buyers in the Republic are paying up to 40 per cent more for household furniture and some electrical goods.
The study also showed Irish consumers pay up to 60 per cent more for DVDs and up to 23 per cent more for clothing and accessories.
According to Fine Gael increasing mark-ups in the retail sector are costing Irish households more than 1,000 euro a year.
The party's finance spokesman Mr Richard Bruton urged the Government to be more proactive in regulating prices at Irish outlets. He said: "It is not good enough for the Government to simply tell consumers to shop around."