Vol. 394 No. 8
9 Mr. Taylor asked the Taoiseach the estimated level of expenditure in 1990 on special advisers in his office; the comparable figure for each of the last three years; if he will give an analysis of the trend indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The estimated expenditure in 1990 on special advisers in my Department is £134,714. This figure includes the appointment of an adviser on environmental matters for the duration of the EC Presidency. The comparable figures in each of the last three years are £102,149, £93,450 and £87,139 respectively.
Can the Taoiseach tell us how many advisers are involved and can he name them?
I do not know whether I would be expected to give names here, but there are five advisers involved, one of whom is a very distinguished expert on the environment who joined my staff quite recently as an adviser and will be with me in that capacity purely for the duration of the Presidency.
Names and addresses, please.
I might point out that apart from that environmental adviser I have only four advisers in my Department whereas my predecessor had five.
That is deflation.
If the Deputy wants to go in for begrudgery, he should direct it elsewhere.
The Taoiseach indicated that he will have five advisers during 1990. Can he tell us how many he had in 1989 and in 1988?
I have given the Deputy the figures. I am not sure of the exact numbers, but I do not think there was any great fluctuation one way or another.
They do advise you.
How many were there?
In 1989, I had four. In 1988, I had five, one of whom, unfortunately, died and whom I did not replace, and in 1987 I had five which included the member who died subsequently.
In the context of the Government's programme on staff numbers in the Civil Service, would the Taoiseach not consider it appropriate that he set an example by keeping the number of his special advisers in his Department under control in like manner?
I have done so.
No, you have not.
Of all the Heads of Government in the entire European Community I probably have the most skeleton staff.
That is true.
Let us deal with Question No. 10.
