EMC met more times than cabinet before last year's budget

The government's financial mini-cabinet met more times in the run up to last year's budget than the actual cabinet itself.

The government's financial mini-cabinet met more times in the run up to last year's budget than the actual cabinet itself.

The Economic Management Council (EMC) is composed of the four most powerful members of the cabinet - Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin. It is also attended by key civil servants and special advisers.

According to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information ...