Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 17 and 54 together.

On 16 December 2004 in reply to a parliamentary question I announced that I had decided not to proceed with the making of an order under the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 to oblige doctors and dentists to display their charges. The reasons were both legal and practical. In particular, as a result of legal advice on the matter I had formed the view that it would not be possible to effectively enforce the display order for doctors and dentists and that making such an order would consequently not be appropriate. In the deliberations on this issue the Department of Health and Children was consulted and informed of the possible contents of an order. That Department had no objections to the making of an order. It supplied my officials with some suggestions as to items to be covered by the order but these did not affect my final decision.

I cannot see any way around the enforcement problems identified. However, the two professions can introduce measures under their own codes of practice to provide greater price transparency to patients. I did not want to introduce a scheme, as it would result in higher charges for patients.

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