Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department or any of the bodies under its auspices has engaged in a study of prices here around the time of the Ryder Cup; the findings of such studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The main bodies operating under the auspices of my Department which are concerned with consumer protection are the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the Interim National Consumer Agency. In so far as the ODCA is concerned, its remit includes a specific statutory role in relation to enforcing price display orders. These orders essentially relate to the manner that prices are indicated on products and also in relation to the manner in which prices are displayed in certain retail outlets such as licensed premises, catering establishments, garages etc.

I am advised by the Director that her Office regularly conducts price display surveys, including on the occasion of major sporting and cultural events, to ensure that retailers are complying with their obligations to display their prices under the relevant Regulations. With regard to the Ryder Cup, the Director's Office conducted surveys of licensed premises and catering establishments in areas surrounding where the event took place. Initial inspections were carried out by the inspectors from the Director's Office between 20th & 25th July with follow up visits taking place on the 11th & 12th September 2006.

The results of the initial inspections of licensed premises revealed that out of 46 premises visited, 21 (45.6%) had their price lists displayed as required by the relevant Regulations while breaches of the Drinks Price Display Order were recorded in 25 (54.4%) premises. However, when Inspectors revisited 45 premises on 11th & 12th September, compliance with the requirements of the Price Display Order had increased to 93% (42). Breaches in relation to the non-display of the required price lists were recorded in 3 (7%) premises. The Director's Office is currently considering the possibility of initiating prosecutions against those retailers who were found to be in breach of their obligations to display their prices.

With regard to restaurants and other catering establishments, the Director has advised that of the total of 56 catering establishments initially visited, 45 (80.4%) had their prices displayed as required under the relevant Regulations, while 11 (19.6%) did not. On the second inspection, all 53 premises revisited had their price lists displayed as required.

The Director's Office also follows up any complaints it receives from consumers in relation to pricing and prices. The Director has advised that in relation to the Ryder Cup her Office only received one complaint to-date regarding ticket pricing and a further complaint in relation to the price charged for tea and sandwiches.

In relation to the other significant area where price concerns were raised, namely possible increases in the price of hotel accommodation, I am advised by the Department of Tourism that under the Tourist Traffic Acts every hotel in Ireland is required at the beginning of each year to register their minimum and maximum room and breakfast rates with Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland's register records these rates and all hoteliers are obliged to display the rates in each hotel room. Fáilte Ireland has advised that it did receive a total of 5 complaints regarding overcharging for accommodation in the weeks leading up to the Ryder Cup and since. These complaints are being investigated by Fáilte Ireland and appropriate action will be taken if they are found to be justified.

The Department of Tourism advised that it received one complaint itself which, upon investigation, found that the rate concerned had been registered with Fáilte Ireland at the beginning of the year and so the hotelier concerned had done nothing illegal.

The Director of Consumer Affairs has advised that her Office will continue to actively enforce the price display laws to ensure that retailers display the price of goods so that consumers can make an informed choice before deciding whether or not to spend their money on such goods. In this regard, my Department recently increased significantly the fines for traders who breach their obligations with regard to displaying their prices.

The new National Consumer Agency, when it is formally established early next year, in addition to continuing this enforcement function will also have additional statutory functions in areas such as consumer information, advocacy, education and awareness etc. In this regard the Interim National Consumer Agency has since the beginning of the year engaged in high profile media campaigns to highlight awareness of consumer rights. These campaigns continued throughout the period of the Ryder Cup.

I am confident, therefore, that the continued activities of these bodies will help to ensure that consumers receive the appropriate information to enable them to get the best possible value for money for the goods and services that they buy.