Top stories in the papers this week 4 – 11 March 2011

Petrol station owners say fuel duties too high; Gannon takes Superquinn to court; Food prices increase 7%

News

11 March 2011

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1. Petrol station owners say fuel duties too high

Petrol station owners are calling on the government to reduce fuel duties to stop spiralling prices at the pump; with petrol prices hitting €1.52 at many stations across the State. The Irish Times reports taxes currently account for over 57% of the cost of fuel, according to the Irish Petrol Retail Association. The association wants to introduce a “fuel stabiliser” which would reduce duty as international oil prices increase.

2. Gannon takes Superquinn to court

Property developer Gerry Gannon has taken a High Court action against Superquinn over its failure to open at the new town centre in Clongriffin, Dublin. The Irish Times reports court documents show Superquinn was to begin paying rent on 1 October 2008, but when the store was not ready by February 2010, said it would no longer move in. Superquinn has been given four weeks to file a defence on why it won’t pay the outstanding rent, which totalled €1,682,978 by September 2010.

3. Another blow to households as food prices increase 7%

The price of some of Ireland’s most popular branded food has risen by up to 7% in the last eight months, according to an Irish Independent survey. The UN’s FAO index also shows world food prices are at an all time high. While CSO figures show average food and beverage prices here have risen just 0.3% in the last 12 months, some items are up substantially including: flour up 13%; cereals up 6%; butter up 7%; cocoa up 23%; and soft drinks up 7%.

4. Levy on out-of-town stores welcomed

Budget proposals in Northern Ireland to impose a levy on out-of-town shopping developments have been welcomed by the independent retailers group NIIRTA. The Evening Herald reports the Department for Finance and Personnel will bring forward proposals to extend the small business rate relief scheme, and subsidise this through a levy on large retailers like major out-of-town shopping developments.

5. Tobacco firm breached sponsorship ban, court told

Tobacco manufacturer PJ Carroll has been accused of giving vouchers to shop staff as a reward for promoting its cigarette products. The Irish Independent reports that in the first prosecution of its kind, the company is accused of breaching the tobacco sponsorship ban by introducing a ‘Pocket-a-Packet’ programme for selected retailers in Ireland. PJ Carroll denies the charges.

6. Supermarket planning decisions

Planning authorities have refused Tesco permission to build its new Kingscourt Cavan store while Superquinn’s Naas, Co. Kildare, application has received the green light with conditions. More details can be viewed on An Bord Pleanála’s website. The Tesco decision is included in the list of decided cases for the week ending 4 March 2011, while the Superquinn decision can be viewed in decisions made for the week ending 25 February 2011.