Department of Enterprise calls foul on nappy stunt

THE Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has called foul on an appeal by TV presenter Eddie Hobbs to send nappies to Minister Mícheál Martin.

The department last night dismissed, as a stunt, the delivery of 250 nappies by members of the public, reportedly disgruntled by the Groceries Order - which is under review.

Financial adviser Mr Hobbs’ suggestion to target the minister came during his Rip-Off Republic programme on Monday night last and eight days after a deadline for the receipt of submissions on the Grocery Order.

The current 1987 legislation bans below cost selling. The Competition Authority, in recent days, claimed the legislation was responsible for keeping prices artificially high.

A department spokesperson said that more than 500 “serious submissions” were received before the July 31 deadline on the minister’s plans to review the regulations. A decision on the proposed review is expected by the year end.

The department confirmed that, in the 48 hours following the RTÉ programme, about 250 nappies were received. None of the nappies were soiled.

“It appears people went to the trouble of putting them in an envelope and paying for the postage,” a department spokesperson said. “The minister’s plans for a consultation process on the Groceries Order was announced in the national media in May and requested public submissions.

“There were no letters accompanying the nappies so it wasn’t really a very productive stunt. A postcard campaign would possibly have been cheaper and more productive,” added the spokesperson.