Most PR is a waste of money, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night branded the bulk of public relations spending a “waste of money” - despite the Government splashing out €7 million of taxpayers’ cash on it a year.

In a waspish attack on public relations consultants employed by ministerial departments and top firms, Mr Ahern said anyone spending “big money” on them was usually making a mistake.

The comments caused a political stir as the Government has an annual PR spend of €7m across 15 departments and pays another 71 press officers €3m a year to get its message across.