Blame Government polices - not Eddie Hobbs

THE reaction of Government TDs to Eddie Hobbs’ programme on RTÉ about the cost of living is as pathetic as it is insulting to the Irish consumer and taxpayer.

Mr Hobbs’ series has done more to expose that phenomenon than any other media in recent years.

He has clearly hit a nerve in Government circles given the petty reaction of FF backbenchers wondering if he has a political bias and complaining that the programme is like a one-hour broadcast for the Opposition. This is in the same vein as comments some time ago from the Minister for Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue, to the effect that there is no such thing as rip-off Ireland and that everybody should just stop talking about it in the hope that it will go away.

Government politicians seem unable to notice the elephant in the room. And they seem unwilling or unable to face up the fact that much of the development of the rip-off phenomenon in Ireland is directly applicable to Government policies which have pummelled consumers on a daily basis with increased charges and stealth taxes.

So, let us have an acknowledgement of the problem from the Government and their representatives instead of seeking to undermine a TV programme and its presenter who is seeking to highlight the problem.

Fianna Fáil backbenchers should be playing the ball and not the man.

Owen G O’Shea

Glenellen

Milltown

Co Kerry