Vol. 482 No. 3
279 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the member of the staff, if any, of his Department, above the rank of executive officer, contributing to or writing a weekly column of a political nature in a local newspaper, under a pseudonym; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/97]
My Department is not aware of any member of staff contributing to or writing a weekly column of a political nature in a local newspaper. If the Deputy is aware of any such case and provides me with the details, I will arrange to have the matter investigated.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are provisions governing civil servants and politics which inter alia, prohibit an official from making public statements on any matter of current political interest or which concern the political action or position of the Government or of any member or group of members of the Oireachtas.
