The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Niamh Smyth has highlighted that research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) suggests grocery price inflation in Ireland is "likely to be driven by increasing costs", such as wages and agricultural produce.

The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD, Tom Brabazon about the engagement between the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and supermarkets in relation to price increases.

Minister Smyth said: "The government acknowledges the rising cost of groceries and its impact on consumers.

"My department has maintained ongoing engagement with the CCPC, particularly in light of recent economic challenges. This engagement is part of our broader efforts to ensure fair competition and consumer protection in the retail sector," the minister added.

In 2023, the CCPC published a high-level analysis of the Irish grocery retail sector. The analysis found that there was "no indication of excessive pricing" in the sector.

According to Minister Smyth, the CCPC has continued to review grocery price inflation in Ireland, and notes that it remains "broadly in line" with the European average.

She said: "Minister Alan Dillon met with the CCPC last week (June 2025) and asked for an update to the June 2023 paper on the high-level analysis of the Irish grocery retail sector.

"(It) provides information to consumers about their rights, personal finance and product safety, through a consumer helpline, a dedicated section of its website, public awareness campaigns and through various financial education initiatives," Minister Smyth explained.

The minister highlighted that the CCPC is not a price regulator and does not have a role in approving price levels across the economy, and that it continues to promote and monitor compliance with competition and consumer protection laws across all sectors of the market.