25 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason prices for certain goods are higher here than elsewhere in the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9352/02]

56 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the terms of reference in the investigation currently under way by Forfás into price disparities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9353/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 56 together.

I have asked Forfás to commission a study to analyse relative price levels and changes in Ireland and other euro zone countries. PricewaterhouseCoopers has been selected to undertake this study. The objective of the study is to compare the absolute prices of a balanced subset of the products covered in the consumer price index and to explore the factors that determine and influence price differentials. These include incomes, wage and other input costs, taxation, regulation, logistics and the level of competition. The study will also analyse the consumer price inflation figures for 2001 and early 2002. It will seek to ascertain whether the rate of increases in prices coinciding with the introduction of the euro was of a higher order than might have been anticipated and compare the rates of increase that occurred in Ireland with other euro zone countries.