Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.

Jim Higgins

Question:

112 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who are members of Fianna Fáil or the Labour Party appointed by her and the Minister(s) of State at her Department since assuming office; and the position held by each of these people in the relevant political party.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

My Dáil secretary and the Dáil secretary of the Minister of State have been brought into the Department to continue their existing duties. The Minister of State has also appointed a special adviser.

Under Civil Service rules personal assistants and special advisers in Ministers' offices are permitted to be members of political parties. It is not the practice in the Civil Service to inquire into the political affiliations of such staff.