Consumers have been warned to be vigilant about being charged higher prices for drink at Christmas parties and functions.
A nationwide survey by Inspectors from the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs has found that 54 pubs (26 per cent of pubs surveyed) flouted retail laws by not displaying their prices in public. Up to 12 premises will be prosecuted under the Retail Price Display Order (1999) in the New Year.
"Consumers are entitled to 100 per cent compliance, and that is what my office is working to achieve," said the Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley.
"The public should be wary of being charged over and above the publicly-displayed prices, especially over the Christmas period.
"Any breaches should be reported immediately to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA)."
The ODCA prosecuted eight licensed premises for non-display of prices in 2004.
The survey found that out of 189 pubs, 54 had not complied with the order.
The Retail Display Price Order requires pubs to provide two separate price lists for the customer.
A 16-item list must be placed immediately inside or outside each entrance and a more comprehensive list should be displayed within each drinking area of the pub.
Some offending proprietors said they didn't have the list displayed as they were unaware of the regulations or that the list was removed for painting and decorating. - (PA)