Madam, - I attended the recent Oxegen music festival at Punchestown racecourse. As a camper, I relied on the on-site catering. I found the prices charged for some very average food were ridiculous and felt I should make my case known in the hope things might change for next year's festival.
I outlined my concerns to the Competition Authority, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the European Consumer Centre. I received replies from all three.
The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs helpfully suggested that I should inform the Competition Authority of my case. The Competition Authority accepted I had a point but recommended that I direct my complaints to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. The European Consumer Centre suggested that I contact the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
With these three bodies, which are charged with helping the cause of the consumer, all failing to take an interest in the case and showing a desire to pass the buck, is it any wonder that we now live in "Rip-off Ireland"? - Yours, etc.,
AIDAN ELDER, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Madam, - It is a few years since I last visited Ireland, a country which I have long admired and whose landscape and natural beauty are wonderful.
However, having just spent two weeks touring the west of Ireland with my partner, I must express shock and horror at the exorbitant prices we were charged for our B&B accommodation and the indifferent food and unprofessional service we found in most of the restaurants we frequented.
Perhaps someone can explain why so many B&Bs listed in the "Ireland Accommodation Guide 2004" are described as farmhouses, whereas in fact we found them to be modern bungalows, often in the centre of a town or village with not a hen, horse or hay barn in sight.
I regret these developments as they make it difficult for me to recommend a visit to Ireland to my friends and colleagues as I have done in the past.
Those involved in the Irish tourist industry need to get their act together so that the goodwill built up in recent years is not undermined. - Yours, etc.,
UBBO KHUMALO-SEEGELKEN, Huntlosen, Germany.