Education debate: Universities need to end their restrictive practices in access to courses, according to the chairman of the Competition Authority. Dr John Fingleton said they were not responsive to demand for certain courses.
It was "ridiculous" that the points for pharmacy were so high that only the 50 'brightest students' could enter a profession that could be done by a larger group. This had a knock-on effect in creating a shortage of professionals in science and engineering. There were also restrictions in medicine, dentistry, for dental technicians and the higher professions.
Speaking during a debate on the theme "Do we live in rip-off Ireland", he also stressed that "privatisation does not deliver efficiencies. Competition does." Aer Lingus was not privatised but had competition from Ryanair, so it had cut its costs and become more efficient. He cited the establishment of the private airport coach service in Dublin. "When the Aircoach service was set-up, Bus Éireann suddenly realised that people coming from the airport didn't want to be dumped at Busaras."
Two surveys by the European Consumer Centre confirmed Ireland's position "at the top of the class for high prices" said Ms Tina Leonard, manager of the Dublin centre, one of 15 throughout the EU. Products by the same company were much cheaper in the British store than the Irish one, while online shopping from other countries was much cheaper than here. The message to consumers was: "If we don't accept high prices here in Ireland, then consumers should vote with their feet and shop around - in the European Union."
