Making friends with Michael

Lobbyists beat a path to Minister for Finance Michael Noonan’s door before the budget

Michael Noonan. Picture: Niall Carson

Big Tobacco, the drinks industry, US multinationals and the bloodstock industry were among those who secured meetings with Minister for Finance Michael Noonan ahead of Budget 2016, parliamentary questions and Freedom of Information documents have revealed.

Noonan or his officials met with the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, the body that represents the interests of Guinness maker Diageo, Pernod Ricard and other brewery and distiller groups. He also met the National Off Licence ...