Government establish expert group to advise on spending

The Government has agreed to establish an expert group to advise Departments on spending for next year.

The cutbacks agreed across departments was not discussed at the last meeting of Senior ministers before the summer break, but this move signals concern at Government level at spiralling spending.

The new group will work closely with the Department of Finance, analysing the wish lists of all Departments for next year.

The group is made up of Maurice O’Connell, former Governor of the Central Bank, former chair of the Revenue Commissioners and former Secretary of the Department of Labour, Kevin Bonner.