FF adviser given clearance for job

THE special adviser to Tánaiste Brian Cowen was given official clearance before taking up his new position with an investment bank bidding for the Government’s Metro North project.

High-flying economist and stockbroker Colin Hunt was the special adviser to both Mr Cowen and, before that, to former transport minister Martin Cullen.

As such he was a central in drawing up the long-term government policy, Transport 21. And in finance he became a key adviser to Mr Cowen and later as an architect of economic policies for Fianna Fáil’s election manifesto. Mr Hunt is now taking up the position of divisional director for Ireland with Macquarie, a specialist investment bank.

This weekend, Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe claimed Mr Hunt was facing a potential conflict of interest. Mr Donohoe said Macquarie was involved in a consortium shortlisted for major contracts on Metro North and other projects. He said Mr Hunt’s knowledge of government strategy would give the bank a strong advantage. But yesterday a spokesperson for the bank said Mr Hunt had been cleared by the body that vets state employees transferring to the private sector.

“Before taking the job at Macquarie he alerted the Outside Appointments Board (OAB) and sought their approval. They gave it without imposing conditions,” said the spokesperson.

Labour however, has consistently called for stricter regulations following several high profile examples of former public servants working in potentially conflicted positions. “There’s a need for and strong regulations and guidelines covering political appointments and civil servants,” a spokesman said last night.