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Prices of a pint in Ireland 170 percent higher than the rest of Europe

Rip off Republic is alive and well

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 8:00 AM

Updated Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 8:00 AM

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7 Comments

Pints of the black stuff

If you're Irish there's yet another good reason for that sinkhole in your wallet. According to Eurostat, the statistical information agency, Irish residents pay 70 per cent more than the European Union average for alcohol and tobacco products.

In fact Irish people are paying the fifth highest prices in the EU for consumer goods and services, with the levels at their most expensive in Denmark and at their cheapest in Bulgaria.  

Irish people face the second highest costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages, some 20 per cent more than the average, with Danish residents paying most.

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The cost of restaurants and hotels in Ireland was the joint third highest the EU, behind Denmark and Sweden and tied with Finland. It's a finding our tourist board might want to examine.

'This large price variation is mainly due to differences in taxation of these products among member states,' Eurostat announced.

Nster.com

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7 Comments

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P.BRIGHT | Jun 30, 2011, 07:12 AM EDT

THE PRICES MAY BE SOME OF THE HIGHEST IN EUROPE,BUT THE SERVICE MUST RANK AS THE LOWEST.

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diski11 | Jun 29, 2011, 11:01 PM EDT

Totally agree about the OUTRAGEOUS auto rental fees along with the insane Insurance fees, then tack on the VAT. I was planning to go to Ireland with a friend and stay for 3 months. The car expense was astounding. We had to put it off until we won the lotto. Very disappointing, but we will figure something out.

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joycean | Jun 29, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

Despite the headline and lead sentence, the article also points out that consumer goods and services are the fifth highest in Europe; and the costs or restaurants and hotels third highest. Although not a problem for people living in Ireland, the cost of rental cars is probable the highest. My husband and I paid about twice what we paid in Germany for just about everything when we were in Ireland and Germany last year. Also, Sirpeter may have been referring to Guinness, but in general, Ireland has no claim on quality . The food made me deathly ill.

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antoman | Jun 29, 2011, 10:32 AM EDT

After Norway I think we are the third country in line where the cost of living is so high.

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sirpeter | Jun 29, 2011, 09:01 AM EDT

Well worth it.To me anyway.You have to pay for quality.The only decent pint of the black stuff you can get is in Ireland.As for buying tobacco products.It's the first big mistake a child makes that can't be blamed on anybody but themselves if they smoke.A constant 3 month reminder by parents and school teachers not to start would have a big effect.

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Towngate | Jun 29, 2011, 08:27 AM EDT

What a basketcase! They could always try not guzzling so much of the damned stuff, wolfing down their overpriced food,stop pretending it's a proper developed country,and face reality by returning to basics.

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LoyalCitizen | Jun 29, 2011, 08:09 AM EDT

Alcohol, tobacco and petrol have always been abused by useless politicians to hide their stupidity.

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