Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

I welcome the Minister's comments on this issue. As he said, it is mind-boggling that eight publicans in Kilkenny city were caught at the one time. One wonders was there some sort of concerted effort in this regard given that Kilkenny is such a beautiful city, such a crowd-puller and a major tourism attraction of which we should be proud. I am not highlighting this to demean Kilkenny, but it might send out a message to other publicans to stop this practice which will damage business in the town in the long term.

In regard to hoteliers, in particular, they are currently required to display their price list on the wall. They display a particularly high maximum price so that whenever a suitable event or demand arises they can go to that peak price, to which most of them would adhere. What are the Minister's views on introducing legislation which would create a clear minimum-maximum differential so that they could not have such a high price away from their off-season price? During the peak summer season, they charge three quarters of the maximum price, but if they think they will get away with it, they charge the full price. Could this matter be investigated so that hoteliers would not be able to charge prices which exceed their minimum off-season price? In that way people would be assured of getting value and quality.

Given that the Minister has not yet discussed the publicans issue in this context with his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and that such price-taking during events is legal, could a legislative approach be taken to ensure that a company or other entity, be it an accommodation provider or a publican, could not charge more than a fixed price at a certain time? Publicans are less limited than hoteliers in this context. Could a legislative route be followed to ensure such protection and, if so, would the Minister favour that?

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