Sham investigation of Rip Off Republic

I WAS disgusted to learn that Deputy Donie Cassidy intends to recall the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, of which he is chairman, to investigate alleged inaccuracies in Eddie Hobbs’ TV programme, Rip Off Republic.

This is a sham investigation and is designed only to discredit Eddie Hobbs and his conclusions. Documentaries are allowed to take a view. Is that not what having a free media is all about? Mr Cassidy obviously doesn't think so.

Recalling an entire committee of politicians to the Dáil from their holidays, with all the ensuing expenses that will be claimed, and the fact that Mr Cassidy has commissioned an independent consultant's report on the programme, ensures that this venture is a complete waste of taxpayers' money. Surely a press release setting out his disagreement with the programme would have sufficed.

It is now incumbent on Mr Cassidy to state for the record how much this politically biased expedition is costing the taxpayer. Or perhaps he is okay with the Public Accounts Committee investigating his actions?

Philip Ryan

Harolds Cross Court

Harolds Cross

Dublin 6