‘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.

“The Government is running scared because the programme has hit such a raw nerve,” Mr Hogan said.

“When Fine Gael first launched its campaign about rip-off Ireland it was ridiculed by Government spokespeople. Now they see the massive response it received they are trying to shoot the messenger.

“It’s gross hypocrisy to engage in RTÉ-bashing at a time when it is clear they have an obligation to be fair and impartial under the broadcasting acts.”

Mr O’Malley again accused the programme of being unbalanced last night.

“It is not a balanced programme. The insinuation in the second programme was that everyone was involved in ripping everyone off,” Mr O’Malley said.

He indicated the PDs would complain to the RTÉ Authority, but an RTÉ spokeswoman said last night no such complaint had been received.