Ireland is the most expensive country in the EU for consumer goods and services, according to Eurostat.

The EU’s data agency compared prices on two thousand products and services across Europe including food and drink, furniture, electrical appliances and transport costs.

Overall, in 2022, prices in Ireland were 46 per cent higher than the EU average.

Ireland was also the most expensive place for alcohol and tobacco, more than twice the European Union average.

In some categories, though, Irish prices are more competitive.

The prices of furniture, clothes and shoes are roughly comparable to the average across other European countries.

Eurostat says electricity prices and taxes are important factors.

Non-EU countries, Iceland and Switzerland came out even more expensive than Ireland.