Bertie Ahern
Question:5 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the persons seconded to his Department since December 1994; and the agencies, organisations or institutions from which these persons have been seconded. [3774/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Advisers.
Michael Woods
Question:6 Dr. Woods asked the Taoiseach if any special adviser or programme manager in his Department is in receipt of any pension or other emolument from public funds in addition to the stated salaries attached to the posts; if so, the amounts involved; and the individuals to whom they apply. [4314/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
The information sought is set out in the schedule I am circulating in the Official Report.
None of the special advisers in my Department is in receipt of any pension or other emolument from public funds in addition to his or her salary.
Staff seconded to the Department of the Taoiseach since December 1994
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Seconded from: |
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Mr. Sean Donlon |
General Electric Capital Aviation Services Ltd., Shannon |
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Mr. Shane Kenny |
Radio Telefís Éireann |
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Mr. John Foley |
Independent Newspapers |
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Mr. Tommy Morris |
Peamount Hospital |
The following people were public servants in the Houses of the Oireachtas prior to their appointments:
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Mr. Roy Dooney |
Mr. Tony Heffernan |
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Ms Dee Johnstone |
Ms Marie McHale |
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Ms Deirdre Concannon |
Ms Deirdre McDevitt |
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Ms Ruth Cashill |
Ms Mairead Harnett |
Does the Taoiseach agree that he has set new precedents for the salaries of the army of advisers he has taken on and that this is a move towards the Americanisation of the public service? In my view this damages morale, interrupts continuity of policy and is an unhealthy undermining of one of the most important aspects of the State——
Put down a question.
You did not get the job of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Will the Taoiseach move away from the policy of bringing in so many outside people? I do not want to be too hard on the Taoiseach as last week in his absence the Minister of State apologised for his remarks but it is bound to create an unhealthy atmosphere in the public service. It was W. T. Cosgrave who set up the independent public service. Will the Taoiseach reaffirm that he will stand over the integrity of the Civil Service?
As far as I know, the Deputy, when he was in the Department of Finance, sanctioned the appointment of outsiders as advisers. In fact. I think his adviser was an outsider so I do not quite know what he is going on about.
Does the Taoiseach stand over the fact that the ratio of advisers in this administration to what was there before is approximately six to one and that the salary of his adviser and some other advisers is double what was paid to those who held a similar position when we were in Government?
My office is the same size as that of my predecessor. These questions relate to secondments and pensions and I have answered them in full.
The Taoiseach has answered my question in the negative. Were the advisers or others who have been taken on in receipt of pensions and have these been set aside?
I do not know what they were in receipt of in the past but they are not in receipt of them now.