The Government has been accused of another “shocking waste of money” as new figures reveal it has spent €2.2m on external communications and media. €389,000 paid to Spark Foundry for Defence campaignsSome €389,000 was paid to media communications firm Spark Foundry for these campaigns. The Department of Finance spent €233,000, including €41,500 to MediaHQ between 2021 and 2025 for “press release distribution”. Mr Gould questioned why the department is outsourcing its press releases when it has a press office, as he accused the Government of "another shocking waste of public money". “€2.2m for help with spin is just another example of this government having no regard for taxpayers’ money."

Source: Irish Examiner January 11, 2026 19:10 UTC