Does Ireland have equivalent institutions/bodies?

Dannyboy83

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2800108,00.html

The German government squandered billions of tax dollars in the past year. On Thursday, Sept. 27, the German Taxpayers Group released its annual "black book" detailing the most outrageous wastes of money.

Does Ireland have similar bodies such as these?
*Any links?*

Are they private or public institutions?

Do parties such as the Government or opposition have the ability to block/slow such institutions?

I recall Bertie refused to upgrade the regulators office despite numerous extra junior ministerial positions and unprecedented public sector expansion.

How are these things calculated?
It seems we tend to rely on the Media for these reports, but from where do the media get them?

Godge

Seems like a souped-up version of the Comptroller and Auditor General

The_Minister

We don't really.

In other countries, these organisations are normally set up and maintained by a concerned group of citizens.

In Ireland, they are set up by the other parties for a quick press release to embaress the government, and then they go into hiding.