The chief executive of the National Consumers Agency has said it is up to consumers themselves to drive competition.
Ann Fitzgerald told the Enterprise Committee that if consumers do not drive competition, then the large retailers will not do it for us.
She said while it is not politically correct to say it, she believes prices here are so high because Irish people have been willing to pay them over the years.
Ms Fitzgerald said Ireland as been seen by international companies as a place where profit can be maximised, subsidising other locations where people are more price aware.
