Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she intends to make an order under the Consumer Affairs Act to require doctors, dentists and allied health professionals to publicly display their prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13831/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Prices Acts require that prices being displayed by order must be shown as a charge. Making an order for a profession where the cost of a procedure may legitimately vary for objective reasons — for example, in dentistry, a crown on a front tooth may cost considerably less than one on a large back tooth — will require careful drafting. We are currently involved in a consultative process with the Office of the Attorney General. I hope to have the necessary regulations drafted by the autumn.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is an issue on which I do not see why there should be a delay. The Tánaiste announced in January that she would order dentists and doctors to display their prices, or at least that is what the headlines in the national newspapers in January said she would do. Yet there is now a complication. No more than any other service, why should there be a difficulty requiring these professions to have an indicative list of their prices?

Is the Tánaiste aware that there is a growing practice of dental tourism whereby people go abroad to have dental work done? Even in Northern Ireland, dental procedures, in some instances, are a fraction of the cost charged in the Republic. Does the Tánaiste agree that, particularly in the area of dentistry, real competition is required and that it will necessitate transparency in terms of understanding prices? If she agrees there is no transparency in that market at present, what specifically will she do?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I gave a commitment following the recommendation of the Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, that we would do so. My Department has consulted the dental association and the medical organisation, which is normal in such circumstances and a good thing. We are now in the process of drafting the legislation. Price lists would probably have to state "crowns from" rather than "crowns at". We need to compare like with like.

I agree with the Deputy that there is much dental tourism. On an Aer Lingus flight last week I read an advertisement for Budapest which stated, "Have a holiday and have your teeth done for one third of the price." I am not certain going to the dentist is compatible with a holiday. An Irish mobile telephone number was given. I understand that many people are going to Budapest, Northern Ireland and Cape Town. If that puts pressure and brings in more competition, that is great. However, we must inform people so that they have a chance to at least shop around and know what they might be expected to pay. Crowns vary in price from €150 to €700 and fillings vary from €60 to €200.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste not consider an inquiry into why prices are so high in the South? That is the nub of the issue. It might be nice to go to Budapest or South Africa, but why are prices on one side of the Border significantly cheaper than the other? It is a cost issue. Obviously, there are significant profits to be made in the South which are not being made in the North. That is the nub of the issue into which there should be an inquiry.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There are huge variations even in the South. If one talks to dentists, they will tell one that the job they do is far superior to any job done elsewhere. There are huge differences in prices in the Irish market. If we give people the information, at least it will allow them to compare prices.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is a phrase "talk is cheap". We agree we need transparency and a more competitive market in regard to professional services, but what will the Tánaiste do about it? Her announcement in January that she would make an order requiring dentists to display their prices was welcome but five months later, that order has not been signed. There is a tardiness there which must be addressed. When will this order be signed?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have instructed my officials to draft the order. The policy decision has been made. I understand the reason for the delay is that it is more complex than anticipated. My officials are in discussions and negotiations with the Office of the Attorney General because clearly we must have an order which stands up legally. One of the difficulties they brought to my attention is that it is not as easy as comparing the price of drink. A pint is a pint, whether it is a pint of Bass, Guinness or whatever.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That can vary too, as can the quality.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The prices, and maybe the quality, can vary but a pint is a pint of the product.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is a woman who does not drink pints.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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We will probably draft an order stating "crowns from" and so on. I understand that will be the legal way around it. It will be done as quickly as possible.