C&AG report: Coalition ignores €600k report on budgetary policy by advisory council

The body set up to advise the Government on budgetary policy spent more than €600,000 carrying out its work last year, despite the Coalition ultimately ignoring its recommendations.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council received €606,000 from the exchequer in 2014, 60% of which was spent on salaries. Outside of salary expenses, a further €100,000 administration fee was paid to the ESRI for accommodation costs and “support services”.

Fees and expenses incurred by the council’s members — which since the resignation of one member in May has comprised of four individuals — totalled €64,000.