The Director of Consumer Affairs has warned rugby fans of a possible price increase in Dublin bars next weekend as publicans seek to make the most of the Ireland v England game.
Ms Carmel Foley has published drink prices in 19 licensed premises in the vicinity of Lansdowne Road and urged revellers to be vigilant against increases.
The move follows her discovery last spring that some pubs near the stadium raised the price of a pint of stout by up to €1 on the day of Ireland's rugby match against Scotland.
Ms Foley stressed that it was not illegal for a pub to charge higher prices on a particular day once the higher price was clearly displayed.
"However, consumers frequently feel aggrieved at price hikes that take advantage of fans at sporting events," she said.
It is the first time her office has published drink prices ahead of a major sporting or cultural event. "We're curious to see whether it will change anyone's behaviour on Sunday," Ms Foley said.
Last September her office published the results of a survey of prices before and after three major summer events - the Galway races, the Rose of Tralee festival and a Leinster senior football semi-final - discovering that just three out of 43 pubs raised their prices for the occasions.
About half, however, failed to display a comprehensive list of drink prices on their premises as required under the Retail Price (Beverages in Licensed Premises) Display Order, 1999.
Ms Foley warned that some pubs were found to have taken down price lists on the day of major events, noting that the Henry Grattan in Lower Baggot Street was successfully prosecuted for non-display on the day of the Ireland v Scotland game last year.
The offence of non-display carries a fine of just €127.
Ms Foley noted, however, that she had asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin, to raise this to €3,000 to bring it in line with offences for non-display of prices in supermarkets.
The pre-match survey identified significant price differences between pubs. Ryan's Beggars Bush was found to be cheapest of the 19 bars surveyed, and the Horseshoe Bar at the Shelbourne Hotel the dearest for Guinness, Smithwicks, Budweiser, Paddy, Smirnoff and CDC Gin. Survey details in full are available on the website www.odca.ie
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