Cabinet row as Eircode ads branded ‘stupid’

Communications Minister Denis Naughten and the Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty, have clashed over controversial ads for Eircode. The latter has described the broadcasts as “stupid”.

Mr Naughten has defended the adverts, which have been broadcast on TV and radio, though the advertising watchdog told complainants that they were misleading.

However, his cabinet colleague, Ms Doherty, said the adverts wrongly insinuate that ambulance services will not reach the scene of an emergency on time — or at all — if callers do not use their Eircode.