Government departments and State agencies have, since 2013, paid out close to€4 million in consultancy fees to companies who have also represented the interests of Big Tobacco.

Figures from seven government departments show that in the last two years alone, payments of as much as €1.7 million have been made to firms who also provide, or have provided, legal and consultancy services to major tobacco companies.

The issue has come into sharp focus after Children’s Minister James Reilly effectively called for a government-wide boycott of lawyers and consultants who represent tobacco firms.....