Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Finance if he can assure that economic experts commissioned by the Government to advise on cuts to public expenditure measures do not also advise private sector interests in how to deal with or mitigate their impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40173/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has recently retained the services of staff with economic expertise to advise on economic policy issues. Under their terms of their employment, they are subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1963 as amended by the Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003. In addition, they are required not to disclose to third parties any confidential information especially that with commercial potential either during or subsequent to the period of employment or engage in other work which would result in a conflict of interest.