Siptu general president Jack O'Connor has called on the Government to appoint an independent expert from abroad to investigate profiteering across the economy.
He was responding this morning to a survey which found that prices in Ireland are almost one-third more expensive than the EU average.
"Consumer prices are remaining persistently high against a background of falling incomes and a deliberate policy of allowing unemployment to fester in order to drive down wages," Mr O'Connor said.
"It is impossible to understand why home produced items such as bread, meat, milk or eggs are costing between 20 per cent and 40 per cent more here than in other EU member states, including our nearest neighbour and
biggest trading partner Britain."
Mr O'Connor claimed profit-taking was continuing on a massive scale. "While working people are being crucified with falling incomes and rising taxation, certain elements in business are continuing to cream it."
According to a Eurostat report, the price gap between Ireland and the rest of Europe has widened since 2007. Only Denmark was more expensive in 2009.
The report finds that health and education are each 56 per cent dearer in Ireland and than elsewhere in Europe. Cigarettes are twice as dear, and alcohol costs 67 per cent more than the EU average.
Mr O'Connor said the appointment of an expert with no connections to Irish business interests would help restore badly needed consumer confidence.