A TD today criticised one of Dublin's main department stores for opening its Christmas section less than a week after school summer holidays ended.
Fianna Fail TD John Curran
Clery's on O'Connell Street set up the festive area on the lower ground floor of the shop on Wednesday last week.
But a spokeswoman for Clery's insisted it had been opened at the same time for the last few years.
Fianna Fáil TD Dublin Mid-West John Curran said hearing sleigh bells in September had marked a new low for greed.
"While we have become used to seeing signs of Christmas in our shops during October the sound of jingle bells in September marks a new low in the efforts to cash in on the festive season," he said.
Mr Curran said celebrating Christmas before Halloween is completely unnecessary. "There should be no marketing of Rudolf taking to the skies before Halloween witches hop on their brooms," he said.
Brown Thomas this year plan to give the entire store a winter theme rather than setting up a dedicated Christmas section. The first signs of the festive season will be seen in the store in the next fortnight.
Arnotts has yet to open its Christmas display in the gifts area. It normally opens in mid-October.
PA