Watchdog finds it can’t ban misleading Eircode adverts

The advertising watchdog has said it does not have the power to ban Government-produced ads promoting the benefits of Eircode despite finding that the broadcasts were misleading.

The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) investigated radio and TV ads for Eircode following complaints, and found they incorrectly gave the impression that those in need of emergency assistance need to know their postcode when calling an ambulance.

However, while the ASAI had originally ruled that the ads should no longer be broadcast, it has since stated that the broadcasts were “public notices” and are therefore outside its remit.