Rip-off society the most pressing issue, say voters

VOTERS believe Ireland’s “rip-off” culture has overtaken the health service as the most serious issue facing the country.

The anger ignited by consumer champion Eddie Hobbs shows no sign of abating as an Irish Examiner/Lansdowne poll reveals the cost of living as the nation’s number one priority.

It was cited as the single most pressing issue by 25% of voters, clearly ahead of health which was named the key problem by 19% and childcare which trailed in third on 7%.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen also emerged as the strong favourite to succeed Bertie Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader in the snapshot survey.

Almost half of voters, 49%, placed the “fleece the consumer” attitude of Irish society as one of the major issues needing urgent Government attention, well ahead of the health service on 40%.

The survey underlines the issue - given intense focus by RTÉ’s runaway ratings success Rip Off Republic - has the potential to badly damage the re-election hopes of the Fianna Fail/PD coalition.

Of those dissatisfied with the Government, 53% cite the country’s “artificially” high cost of living as a serious concern.

And even among voters happy with the Coalition, it is named a major worry for 47%.

Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin said he welcomed the prominence given to price levels by voters.

“I am not surprised by the Irish Examiner poll given the focus enjoyed by the issue in recent months.

“I welcome it as well, as it will help in bringing in more competition, which has long been an objective of mine.

“That is why we set up the National Consumer Agency and I think we are going to see real results flowing from that over the next 12 months,” Mr Martin said.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said Ireland needed a new government which was not afraid to take on vested interests.

“I am surprised the issue has overtaken health in the sense that there is still no light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the problems in the health service.

“But four hours of highly entertaining television from Eddie Hobbs struck a real chord with people who already knew they were living in a high cost economy.

“The fact of the matter is this is an expensive society and people do not see this Government putting any real effort into taking on vested interests and forcing more competition.

“We need to tackle real anti-competitive activity such as that being practiced in the financial services sector and among professionals like GPs,” the Labour leader said.