Supermarket food costs are continuing to rise at an alarming rate. The rate of inflation is, thankfully, easing, but families are not seeing that in their shopping trolleys. In fact, the cost of food is continuing to rise. An average food shop costs 6.8% more than it did a year ago. I am not just talking about luxury products, but also basics like milk, eggs, butter, meat, cereal, tea, coffee and baby formula. They are substantially more expensive and are showing no signs of decreasing in price.

We saw prices went up very quickly last year, but they are very slow to fall. What are the Tánaiste and Ministers doing to protect consumers and ensure that reductions in supply-chain costs, electricity and energy prices and inflation are passed on to shoppers through price reductions?

This is of considerable concern to everybody in the Government. There are understandable inflationary costs in groceries, as we have seen in every sector of the Irish economy, with regard to supply-chain issues and energy costs. That is understandable and can be factored in. We have seen many cost-of-living measures being taken in every Department. However, groceries in particular are of considerable concern. I intend to raise the issue at the next retail forum, which I chair. It has been made quite clear to retailers that, while we know they are struggling, serious supports have been provided for the Government. If there are instances of gouging, the Government will not be found wanting in using the Consumer Protection Act 2007, but I hope we will have no reason to do that.