Election 2024: Yes minister, there are ways to end wanton waste in public spending

Cianan Brennan speculates on what can be done to change a culture of wanton waste within our public service

The Leinster House bike shed which cost the State €336,000. Picture: Tadgh McNally

Can Ireland’s culture of waste be overturned? It’s the million-dollar question. For starters, it helps to understand why the problem exists in the first place.

Ireland’s public service, much like Britain’s, exists between elected ministers and civil servants.