€17m paid to govt advisors in last two years

The Government and the Financial Regulator have paid out more than €17m to consultants for outside advice in the last two years.

Investment banks have been paid €8.7m during the banking crisis.

A further €8.5m has been paid to legal advisors Arthur Cox, accountants Price Waterhouse Coopers and Estate agents Jones Lang La Salle for advice to the Department, the Regulator and the National Treasury Management Agency.

The figures have been released to the Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.