Vol. 447 No. 11
22 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the appointments he has made or intends to make in his private offices, including special advisers, programme managers and press staff; the name, task, salary and conditions of employment of these appointees; and the reasoning behind the appointment of an official to the rank of Second Secretary in his Department. [1445/95]
I have made no new appointments to my private office. The staff sanctioned by the previous Minister for Finance have been re-appointed and their tasks, salaries and conditions of appointment remain unchanged.
As regards the appointment of an official to the rank of Second Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs, I would point out that Anglo-Irish and North-South relations are a key priority both for the Government and the country generally and never more so than at present when we face the challenge of consolidating peace and launching a process of negotiations.
The official in question has been centrally involved in negotiations on the Joint Declaration and the Joint Framework Document. His work requires him to deal with key officials at the very top level of the British system on very complex issues. The burden of work and responsibility in this area is already comparable to that of a Departmental Secretary and it will increase further as the resources of the Department are strengthened to meet new tasks, for example, the economic follow-up to the peace process and preparations for the launch and conduct of comprehensive negotiations.
The official in question will be required to manage the Anglo-Irish Division, provide services for the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Northern Ireland, co-ordinate all policy execution in relation to Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish matters and maintain and develop international support for the process.
It is right that the rank and experience of the official who carries out these duties should be commensurate with the importance of the work in question and that he should also remain in a position to concentrate exclusively on Anglo-Irish matters without the competing pressures of other Departmental tasks. This appointment meets that need in both respects.
Would the Tánaiste agree with the statement that Government Members fill their ministerial offices with relatives and cronies appointed as programme managers and special advisers and that they should be told to stop the gravy train right now? That is not my view but the view of the Taoiseach's party in the recent Cork by-election. Has the Tánaiste a view on that?
In his role as spokes-person on foreign affairs the Deputy knows I have a view on most issues. I recall that statement being made at the time. So far as the job to be carried out by Ministers on behalf of the Government is concerned, it is well accepted that we have advisers and, as the Deputy knows, we have individuals to help us in our constituency offices. In that respect there are fewer people employed in Government offices on constituency work than was the case in the past.
So far as the appointment of Mr. Ó hÚiginn——
Let us avoid personalities please.
So far as the appointment of a Second Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs is concerned, I have the utmost respect for the official. He is a very fine and competent official. He did excellent work during the time I had the pleasure of working with him when I was at that Department.
One could be excused if one were to say that the date of his appointment was an unfortunate coincidence being the day Mr. Donlon was appointed as special adviser to the Taoiseach.
Personalities are entering into this matter. Persons referred to have no redress against accusations made against them in this House.
It is not an accusation although there are those who would say it is an accusation. His promotion is a fact. There is a bit of lollipop politics about the coincidence of the appointment dates, one for the Taoiseach, one for the Tánaiste. In view of the appointment of the special adviser to the Taoiseach, which Department is driving Northern Ireland policy at this stage? Is it the Department of the Taoiseach or the office of the Tánaiste?
I am grateful for the remarks made regarding the official. I was expecting them because anyone from any party who worked with the person involved can only compliment him on the sterling service he has given and will continue to give to this country, working long beyond the demands of normal working hours. He is an excellent civil servant. I appreciate the remarks. They will be conveyed to the Second Secretary in my Department.
It is important that the Government operates as a team in relation to Northern Ireland. It is extremely important, given the opportunity obtaining, and which will continue in ensuing months, that we operate as a team. The day-to-day responsibility for policy on Northern Ireland rests with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Obviously, as with other matters such as the European Council, I will conduct the business of the General Affairs Council but ultimate responsibility rests with the Taoiseach on behalf of the Government. That is the position. I consider it extremely important that we avail of the opportunity obtaining, in a spirit of teamwork, on behalf of this House and the electorate.
In view of the Minister having this excellent Second Secretary rank, this permanent civil servant, in the interests of taxpayers will he terminate the services of one of the advisers he brought with him from the previous administration?
It is not my intention to terminate the services of any adviser.
