€150m rent bill - Golden circle gains from rent policy

PEOPLE should not be very surprised that the Government is spending over €150 million annually on renting property from private landlords and developers.

Those landlords are many of the same people who have been members of the so-called golden circle, which has been contributing handsomely to political parties, especially Fianna Fáil.

Government Departments and agencies construct new buildings at extravagant prices, arguing that the new structures will save money on property being rented, but after moving into the new buildings many of the State agencies continue to rent the old property.