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There has been a huge outpouring of sympathy for the family of 31 year old Savita Halappanaar who died of septicaemia at Galway University Hospital last month. Mrs Halappanaar who was 17 weeks pregnant presented with severe back pain and was found to be miscarrying. Her husband has claimed that Mrs Halappanaar had repeatedly asked for an abortion when she was told that the pregnancy was no longer viable. Of course, we won’t know the exact details of the case until the two reports which have been commissioned are completed but this tragic case has once again catapulted the abortion controversy back to the top of the news agenda. And decades into the debate how will our politicians respond this time around and will they have the political will to legislate in such a highly contentious area?
Joining Pat was Senator Ronan Mullen and Dr Mary Favier, a GP in Cork and member of the group Doctors For Choice.
Hamas has said that the killing of a 52-year-old their military leader in Gaza would "open the gates of hell" for Israel.
Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, who died when his car was hit in Gaza City, by a rocket, was said by Israel to have been responsible for all attacks launched from Gaza in the past decade. The strike was later posted on YouTube.
Eleven Palestinians - mainly militants but also children - have been killed in the ensuing Israeli operation. Since then, more than 130 rockets have been fired into Israel, police say.
And in recent hours three people have been killed in Israel as rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel, amid escalating violence.
Pat was joined by Fawaz Gerges, Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
at was joined in studio by Fintan O Toole, Assistant Editor of the Irish Times and Dearbhail O Donnell, Legal Editor of the Irish Independent two contributors to a new book called Up the Republic. As we approach the commemoration of the 1916 Rising, Up the Republic argues that even though we have on three different occasions proclaimed a Republic we have in fact not achieved a Republic.
Anglo the Musical opened last night at the Bord Gais theatre in Dublin. It’s written by Paul Howard better known for his creation Ross O’Carroll Kelly. Pat went to see a preview on Tuesday and last night independent TD Shane Ross, co-author of the Untouchables with Nick Webb and Simon Kelly author of Breakfast with Anglo, went to the show and they joined Pat in studio
Before you decide whether to buy something or not you need to know the price in order to make an informed decision.
But did you know that there are several pieces of legislation governing how prices are displayed and where, and that they should be shown in the first place?
Nevertheless, if you want to buy the services of a doctor or a solicitor for example you might find no prices displayed at all.
So, what are the rules on prices display, who isn’t displaying them and what are the things you need to look out for.
Tina Leonard is here to explain.
Why price display is so important
We need to know how much we will pay for an item and in order to know that, the price needs to be clearly displayed.
In an open and competitive market, it is crucial so that we can easily compare prices between different brands on offer and between the same items in different shops, or between service providers offering similar expertise.
And it’s good for the business in addition to being good for the customer, as without a price displayed:
• There may be a perception of the product being too expensive.
• Both prospective customer and the business waste time on enquiries.
• Displaying a price makes the sale easier (no price discussion needed / some people afraid to ask).
• It’s healthy for competition that similar businesses know each other’s prices.
The Pricing Rules
Goods
• Price legislation covers goods sold anywhere; that includes shops, market stalls, mail order, catalogue and online. In these cases the price should always be displayed.
• The price should be displayed on the product or near it, for example on the edge of the display shelf if not on the product itself.
• Prices must be shown in euro, but there is no rule to say that other currencies can’t be shown also, or indeed that the euro price has to appear more prominent.
• And the price shown should be the final price; that is it should include VAT and any other taxes and charges.
• But for some invoices, for example phone and electricity bills, the VAT can be shown separately. The same goes for business-to-business sales.
• Exceptions to the rules are for auctions and good sold loosely (i.e. vegetables). In the case of goods sold loosely the unit price must be shown (i.e. per Kg price).
Services
Price rules are also a bit different when it comes to services. That’s because the end price may depend on what you request from the service provider, so the price may be dependent on what’s being provided.
Nevertheless, the service provider must inform you of the total cost of the service and how it was calculated before you seal the deal.
In certain advertisements for concerts and theatre performances it is allowed to show charges and booking fees separately, but the reason for them must be stated i.e. a booking charge or administration fee.
Specific price display rules
There are five pieces of legislation that govern price display in specific sectors: hairdressers and barbers; petrol stations; pubs and other licensed premises; restaurant, cafes, hotels and pubs serving food and airlines.
This is why the price of petrol and diesel is clearly displayed to be visible from the side of the road; why food prices are posted outside a restaurant and why the price of your pint (16 drinks in total) must be listed outside or just inside the licensed premises.
Hairdressers’ prices can be listed immediately inside the premises if not visible from the street and airlines’ prices should be ‘all-inclusive’.
What about dentists and doctors and solicitors’ prices?
These are services so the end or total price may depend on exactly what service is required.
Nevertheless you should know the total cost. (Imagine, for example, having your boiler serviced and extra work carried out without knowing and agreeing the price in advance!) It would be best for consumers that prices were indicated for all of these services, where they currently are not. But there is no specific law requiring doctors, dentists or solicitors to display their fees.
Dentists
The Dental Council of Ireland approved a Code of Practice relating to the display of private fees in dental practices (in force since June 2011), so that should be followed by their registered members. It stipulates that a price-notice at least of A4 size should be displayed in a prominent position. Fees must be displayed for a minimum list of treatments and some can be a single fee (extraction for example) and for others there might be a minimum and maximum (for example for crowns).
In addition some dentists advertise their prices publically in order to better promote their businesses. In fact many savvy dental practices are now promoting their business and services like any other business – via social media, special offers, advertising etc.
Doctors
In a survey (from 2010) from the National Consumer Agency, half of doctors said they did display prices. But no move has been made by The Medical Council to require members to display prices.
Bearing in mind that each doctor’s surgery is an individual business, of course they can charge as they wish. But why all the secrecy? And as we know, often customers / patients are embarrassed to ask. Yet there may be different charges for consultation, repeat prescription, second questions/issues, medical certificate, family rate etc.
At your doctor’s surgery, if prices are not displayed why not ask them to?
Solictors
The Legal Services Regulatory Bill (yet to be enacted) includes provision for improvements in the transparency of prices. Even so more can be done to ensure consumers can access prices.
Why shouldn’t solicitors provide detailed quotations in a standard format prior to engagement and publish fees for their basic or standard services?
Currently solicitors issue what’s called a Section 68 letter, which gives detail, hourly rates or an overall price for the service, but what you end up paying may still be different and in any case, it would be more transparent to know price ranges up front.
Good news from childcare facilities
If you are a parent, childcare may represent your biggest monthly expense after you have paid your rent or mortgage. So, it is very important that you have access to clear information on pricing.
In a positive move and thanks to Early Childhood Ireland and their discussions with the National Consumer Agency, since October this year their 3,300 members should now display prices and they have developed a template ‘price list’ to assist all members.
Be alert!
o The price you see should be the price you pay.
o But if the retailer has made a genuine mistake they do not have to sell to you at the incorrect price.
o When it comes to professional service double check the price and any add-ons.
o If prices are being kept high deliberately by a monopoly of one big company or by a cartel of a number of businesses, this could be price fixing and that is against competition rules. If you suspect it report it to the Competition Authority.
o In a sale, the original pre-sale price should also be shown. That pre-sale price should have been in existence for 28 consecutive days in the three months prior to the reduction.
o Be aware of clever marketing ploys with prices – i.e. 2 for the price for one, but three get one at price of cheapest etc, use of price pints like 99c to draw you in etc, and always think twice before purchase.
