From john Robertson

Several of the changes recorded by the Central Statistical Office in March 2010 seem likely to cause some surprise. Rents are said to have fallen by 16,4%, carpets became 43% cheaper, car prices went down 28% and jewellery and clocks declined by 17,8%. However, rates went up 28,25%, motorcycles went up by 15,3%, fish prices rose 11,6%, vegetable by 9,2% and tobacco products by 7,3%.


The biggest increases over the year to March were a rise of 234,7% rise in the prices of scotch carts, a 66% increase in fuel and lubricant prices, a 45,75% increase in hotel room charges, a rise of 30,9% in dental charges and of 28% in hospital services. Wine prices were also down 28% on the year and cars show up again with a fall of 22,4% for the year.