Hobbs anticipated ‘shoot the messenger’ response to show

RTÉ confirmed yesterday there are no immediate plans for a second series of Rip Off Republic.

Consumer champion Eddie Hobbs, who presented the hit four-part series, is also anxious to advance the debate on Ireland’s high cost of living.

“What I want to do is to move on the debate to harder news and current affairs,” he said.

“The programme was great, I enjoyed it but I want to move on from that.”

An RTÉ spokesperson said yesterday: “It was a finger on the pulse show. If there is a follow-up, it will not be repeated in that format.” The national broadcaster said the final show topped 840,000 viewers.

Hobbs, however, is currently working on the next independent television production of Show Me the Money.

Enjoying increasingly public support for his consumer campaigns, the Cork-born financial adviser has fallen foul of the Government.

Hobbs will find himself battling out of a corner tonight as he is confronted on Questions & Answers by Fianna Fáil minister Seamus Brennan.

The first of the new season’s series of the John Bowman-presented programme will also feature Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who has staunchly supported the TV show’s concept.

Disgraced former investment financier Tony Taylor, a former business partner with Hobbs, is reportedly seeking to be in the audience for tonight’s Q&A programme. Taylor, convicted of fraud involving clients’ funds and jailed in 2001 has now made certain allegations.

However, Hobbs has strenuously denied that he was engaged in any wrongdoing when advising clients about moving money to an offshore account while working for Taylor.

The Financial Regulator has also sought access to documents as a result of a complaint lodged by Taylor but Hobbs insisted there was no major investigation into his activities.

On the weekend radio programme, the Marian Finucane Show, Hobbs said he anticipated the Government backlash. He said he expected a four-pronged strategic response to Rip Off Ireland - do nothing; attack the assumptions; completely ignore it or shoot the messenger.

“The shoot the messenger response has certainly happened,” he said. “I am not turning myself into a victim but I did expect to be nailed to the tourist sign at the crossroads with the sign ‘Death to Informers’ around my neck.

He added: “With beatification often comes crucifixion and I’m getting the nails through my hands and feet at the moment.”