Sinn Féin Leader Highlights Rising Costs of Living
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald recently brought attention to the rising cost of living in Ireland, stating that a litre of milk now costs more than a litre of petrol. This observation was made during a discussion in the Dáil, where she emphasized the financial strain on households and called for urgent measures to ease the burden.
McDonald’s remarks came amid growing concerns about inflation and its impact on everyday essentials. She addressed Taoiseach Micheál Martin during Leader’s Questions, challenging his assertion that prices were at a relatively high level. Instead, she argued that prices had reached “through the roof” levels, using the comparison between milk and petrol as a clear example.
The issue gained further attention when Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland editor at Mediahuis, made a similar point on Virgin Media’s Tonight Show. He noted that a litre of Avonmore milk was priced at €1.79, which he claimed was more expensive than petrol. However, the accuracy of this claim was later scrutinized by The Journal.
Investigating the Claim
The Journal contacted Sinn Féin and the office of Mary Lou McDonald for evidence supporting her statement but did not receive a response. Later, a party spokesperson provided two images showing a litre of Avonmore Supermilk priced at €1.75 on Tesco’s online store and a litre of unleaded petrol at almost €1.70 in Cork city.
To verify the claim, The Journal conducted a survey of milk prices across various shops and supermarkets. The study focused on whole milk from different brands, excluding low-fat or skimmed varieties. Prices varied significantly depending on the location and type of shop.
For petrol, the AA’s data was used, showing an average price of €1.77 per litre in June, slightly up from €1.76 in May. Fuel prices also differ by region and company, as highlighted by pickapump.com.
Price Comparisons Across Retailers
Supermarkets generally offered lower prices compared to smaller shops and service stations. Here are some examples:
Supermarkets:
– Lidl (Coolree): €1.50
– Aldi (Clonbawn): €1.25
– Supervalu (Premier Dairies): €1.59
– Avonmore: €1.59
– Tesco (Premier Dairies): €1.59
– Dunnes Stores (Premier Dairies): €1.59
– Donnybrook Fair (Premier Dairies): €1.75
– Avonmore: €1.79
Smaller Shops:
– Circle K (Own brand): €1.70
– Mace (Donegal Dairies): €1.80
– Spar (Avonmore): €1.99
– Daybreak (Premier Dairies): €2.20
– Avonmore: €2.20
– Londis (Premier Dairies): €2.25
– Avonmore: €2.25
Conclusion
Mary Lou McDonald was correct in highlighting the rising cost of milk, but whether it is more expensive than petrol depends on where you purchase it. The average price of milk in supermarkets was €1.50, which is below the average petrol price of €1.77. However, in smaller shops, the average milk price was around €2.00, significantly higher than the average fuel price.
According to the Central Statistics Office, the average cost of two litres of milk has increased by 12% over the past year, reflecting a broader trend of rising prices. This increase underscores the ongoing challenges faced by consumers in Ireland.
A correction was made to the original article, noting that Lidl’s Coolree milk price was listed incorrectly. The correct price for a litre of Coolree milk is €1.50, as the original reference was based on a 500ml price.
The Journal’s FactCheck initiative adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. Readers can find more information about their processes and findings through their Reader’s Guide.
