The Consumers’ Association of Ireland  
Over 40 Years of Representation  1966 – 2008.

                      The Consumers' Association of Ireland is a wholly independent, non-profit,
                    non-government organisation registered with charitable status. CHY No. 8559.

                                                      Telephone:  01 – 497 8600

Press Release 
Issued 9 December 2009

Consumers' association of Ireland - Budget Reaction

We acknowledge the difficulties involved in moulding this budget to the needs of the State through balanced measures.
However, the confidence of consumers will not be boosted through the news that their fuel costs are to increase, that there will be both property and water taxes next year, and that child allowance rates and other variations are to bring reductions in the already struggling household income.

Prices have not reduced to the level suggested in all areas and these reductions, coupled with a very miniscule revision in VAT, still presents the likliehood that our cross border traffic and exiting of cash will, at least, continue.
In addition as health charges, childcare fees and all insurances have increased at double digit levels consumers will be highly sceptical of the suggestion that we are on the road to recovery or that prices have tumbled.

We welcome the initiatives to assist those in negative equity and would assume that these debtors will be exempted from the proposed property taxes and water charges?

Dermott Jewell
Chief Executive

Editors Notes:-

Consumer Choice is published monthly by the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) limited, a wholly independent, non-government, non-profit making body.

Consumer Choice's team of dedicated researchers use their expertise to provide subscribers with impartial reporting on household consumer goods, personal finance, automotive, food, health, safety and consumer rights.

Consumer Choice does not carry any commercial advertising. For that reason it can offer readers an unbiased view of all the products and services they review.

Consumer Choice is available through subscription directly from the Consumers' Association of Ireland, - contact subscriptions at  cai@consumerassociation.ie;  www.thecai.ie or call subscriptions on (01) 497 8811.

Reports in Consumer Choice are based on market research, laboratory tests or user surveys, all of which are independently and scientifically conducted. All reports are produced by the editorial staff. Some material is occasionally drawn from other foreign independent consumer magazines.
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