asked the Taoiseach the principal features of the contract entered into with the special adviser to the Government; the services he renders; and his status in the Government.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Adviser to Government.
2.
The contract between the Government and their Special Adviser, Mr. Alexis FitzGerald, for his exclusive services will last for the duration of the Government but may be terminated at any time by one month's notice in writing on either side. Mr. FitzGerald has, of course, retired from the firm in which he was senior partner and surrendered his proprietorial interest therein as well as resigning from his business directorships.
The contract provides for payment of an all-inclusive fee equivalent to the salary at present paid to the Secretary of the Department of Finance, namely, £30,494. No superannuation benefits or transport facilities are provided under the contract but vouched expenses for entertainment and for travelling and subsistence arising directly from the assignment will be payable in accordance with normal civil service regulations.
As I indicated to the House last July, Mr. FitzGerald advises on all matters of Government policy referred to him by me on behalf of the Government. He attends meetings of the Government in an advisory capacity and contributes when invited to do so. He is not, of course, a member of the Government so the last part of the Deputy's question does not arise.
I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that the individual appointed to this new post, this specially created post, has renounced all other forms of activity, commercial and professional, and is not in receipt of any remuneration from any other source?
Yes, that is absolutely correct. I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity to make that absolutely clear.
Would the Taoiseach not acknowledge that the fact that this non-elected person is present at Government meetings raises some questions as to his status and his participation in the affairs of Government meetings? Can he give me an indication of what exactly that status is?
I think I have done so. I told the Deputy specifically that, as well as advising on matters of Government policy referred to him by me, he attends meetings of the Government in an advisory capacity.
Does the Taoiseach not consider it is creating a very undesirable precedent for him, as Taoiseach, to appoint a close personal associate to a job of this sort, carrying remuneration of £30,000 a year, which is far more than many of us in this House have? Does he not consider that an appointment of this sort is undesirable in the public interest? Can he give me any instance where he could procure advice from this individual which would not be fully and adequately and comprehensively available to him from the public service as properly and legitimately constituted?
I do not regard the appointment as undesirable. I regard it as very desirable. Secondly, as regards the advice given, it would be improper for me to instance cases of such advice in regard to matters coming before the Cabinet or the Government. If the Deputy were in my position he would be the first to reject such a proposal.
With all due respect, that is not the question I asked. I asked the Taoiseach can he give me any instance of an area in which this appointee can offer advice which competent and experienced advice would not be fully and agequately available to the Taoiseach and the Government from the established public service.
For the reasons I have mentioned it would be improper for me to go into any question of current advice. It is relevant to remark that a number of the more important developments in our provisions to attract new industry here originated from advice given by him in the past in different categories such as the establishment of the Industrial Development Authority and the tax reliefs on industry. These past examples indicate the quality of the advice Mr. FitzGerald is in a position to offer. It is a great strength for the Government to have him available to advise them both from day to day and at Government meetings in respect of matters which may come up from time to time.
With all due respect, that does not hold water for one moment. The Taoiseach and the Government have available to them the most expert advice in that area from the Department of Finance and the Department of Industry, Commerce and Trade or whatever it is now——
Did the Deputy not say they gave him wrong advice about the inflation figures?
——and from the IDA. Can the Taoiseach tell me if the application of the Official Secrets Act to this appointee has been cleared up?
Yes, of course. He has signed the normal undertakings to preserve the provisions of the Act.
The Official Secrets Act now applies to him?
It applies to everyone in the Government service.
As the Taoiseach will not supply me with any concrete instance of where specific advice was available from this person which was of benefit to the nation, can he tell me what proportion of the present economic, social and constitutional turmoil into which he has precipitated this country can be attributed to advice from this appointee?
I have already said I do not propose to open the question of any particular advice given by any Adviser to the Government whether in the Civil Service or outside.