Madam, - During a recent visit to Austria and Germany, I did a quick survey of food and alcohol prices in three supermarkets. Food, on average, was about half of the price it is in Ireland, whereas most alcohol appeared to be a third of the Irish price.
These prices did not represent cheapness but simple value for money, a concept long forgotten by the price-setters and consumers of this greedy little island. - Yours, etc.,
CAITRÍONA GLEESON, Maymount, Friar's Walk, Cork.