‘Stop RTÉ attacks and fix rip-off Republic’

MINISTERS were last night accused of blatant “RTÉ-bashing” over attacks on the broadcaster’s probe into consumer rip-offs.

Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Phil Hogan said ministers should stop moaning about TV shows and concentrate on providing a better deal for shoppers. He was reacting to Government complaints over RTÉ’s summer hit Rip Off Republic.

Junior Health Minster Tim O’Malley accused the programme, fronted by Eddie Hobbs, of “creative bankruptcy” and of echoing the theme of Fine Gael’s ripoff.ie website.