Madam, - I am aware of the spate of complaints about rip-off Ireland and having returned to Ireland from four and a half years in Australia I have been shocked into numbness by the cost of living here.
However, like most, I have put up with the overcharging and work in Dublin in two jobs which barely manage to cover my cost of living expenses. Today I had the misfortune of having to receive dental work and a quote for further work which on investigation amounted to approximately twice the cost of similar dental treatment provided in Northern Ireland.
I am utterly perplexed as to how a full root canal can cost £200 sterling in Newry and €500 in Dublin and how a crown can cost £250 pounds sterling in Newry and €1000 in Dublin.
It is obvious to me that the rip-off tendency in Irish life is firmly in favour of the professions and to the detriment of anyone trying to make a living and build a life in their home city. - Yours, etc.,
Dr ANTHONY FINN, Beauvale Park, Artane, Dublin 5.