Over 70% of groups invited to the Government’s flagship pre-Budget forum this week were in receipt of State funding, according to a Gript analysis of the National Economic Dialogue (NED).
The analysis found that of the 115 stakeholder organisations involved, 82 (71.2%) were State-funded – including many NGOs, State agencies and advisory bodies. One additional organisation was in the process of seeking funding.
Among the most heavily subsidised groups present were the National Women’s Council of Ireland, which receives 97% of its income from Government, and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is entirely taxpayer-funded.
Industry bodies also took part, such as IBEC, the Construction Industry Federation and the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland – though smaller private sector interests were far less represented.
The event, held behind closed doors at Dublin Castle, was not open to the media or public. Gript was among the outlets denied access.
Independent Senator Sharon Keogan has criticised the process as a “total farce” and an “affront to democracy,” arguing that it misrepresents State-funded groups as independent voices of the public.
“It is not the inertia of a broken down car stuck on the road but that of a car rolling down a hill with the brakes off and no driver at the wheel,” she said.
She claimed that State-funded organisations make up the bulk of the consultation, with limited input from ordinary businesses or citizens.
“Who makes up the lion’s share of voices at this forum?” she asked. “It is NGOs, paid for by taxpayer money; university academics, subsidised by taxpayer money; and Government and public sector bodies, paid for – you guessed it – by taxpayer money.”
She said this year’s forum had more business involvement, but added that SMEs – which make up 90% of Irish businesses – remained underrepresented.
“Those present still overwhelmingly represented big businesses and multinationals,” she said.
“The vast majority of SMEs…are left out in the cold without so much as a say, invite or notification.”
“We must put a total stop to the Government’s practice of having the brass neck to claim it is engaging with the so-called public when in reality, it is consulting the cronies whom it pays,” she added.
“It is time for us to smash this policymakers’ cartel if Ireland is to progress.”
The National Economic Dialogue, held annually since 2015, is billed by Government as an “inclusive” pre-Budget consultation.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe co-chaired the event, which focused on themes such as climate transition, housing supply, agriculture and infrastructure.
Briefing documents circulated to attendees stated that this year’s theme was “Medium-term budgetary planning against a rapidly changing global backdrop.” Ministers said the event would help inform a new five-year fiscal strategy.