Other McCarthy Report stories in brief ...
€2.8m saving in law reform body's removal
The McCarthy report has proposed the abolition of the Law Reform Commission, rendering estimated annual savings of €2.8 million.
The group said it should only be convened on a temporary basis, as required. It should be discontinued, with half the staff assigned to the office of the Attorney General to finish remaining projects. The Law Reform Commission responded that it noted the recommendations contained in the report. “The commission also notes that the special group did not have an opportunity to make direct contact with the commission, prior to making its recommendation,” it said.
Airlines can help cut €4m to fly Ministers
The near €4 million cost of ministerial air travel on the Government’s jets and helicopters would be greatly reduced if Ministers flew more often with commercial airlines such as Ryanair, as the McCarthy report has recommended. It has suggested the cost of flying the ministerial air transport service be defrayed across all departments, rather than just under defence.
Merging watchdogs can help save €66m
Merging the broadcasting and telecoms watchdogs and axing State-funded energy efficiency schemes would save the taxpayer €66 million a year, the McCarthy report states.
The report identified savings of up to €65.6 million a year in the budget of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, responsible for telecoms, broadcasting, fisheries and energy.