Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My attention was drawn to the fact that rates on sporting clubs do not take into account that a very large amount of sporting clubs' space is not used as it has been rated. One particular club contacted me. Its bar only opens for two days or two and a half days at the most, but the club's rates are based on the total premises, including changing rooms and other facilities. We should have a system whereby we can treat the club's facilities that are of benefit to the community as a whole differently than if it was all one bar. The fact a club has a bar is useful, but it is only used for part of the week. We should discuss that at some point.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has drawn attention to a report this week - out today, I think - that indicates that a very large number of companies, including energy companies, broadband and mobile phone companies, offer great deals only to new customers. I have been in business for a long time and have always believed that to survive one must look after customers to get them to come back again and again. I cannot get over the fact that so many companies are now moving to offer deals that only apply for the first six or three months.
I have told the story in the past of my wife telling me that there was somebody with an English accent on the phone at home looking to speak to me. When I took the call it turned to be out someone from The Economistmagazine. She told me that my subscription was running out and asked if I would like to renew it. I said yes, I would be very happy to renew it, I enjoy The Economist, and I saw there was a 35% reduction. She told me that that was only for new customers and did not apply to existing customers. Therefore, I do not get The Economistanymore. My wife now gets The Economist, which solved that problem easily enough. I mention it because companies offering special deals only to new customers rather than to long-term customers are making an error. I do not believe it should be legislated for. I believe we should embarrass them by pointing it out. On that basis we will be able to win the case on the part of the long-term customers rather than the one-timers.