Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard Allen

Question:

1635 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount paid since July 1997 to date in fees, salary, allowances including delegates' allowances, expenses and other payments to any person in or under the aegis of his Department who is or was a special adviser within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995; the name of the person in each case; the amount paid to each person; the breakdown as between salary, allowances, expenses and other payments; the date on which each person was appointed; in the case of persons no longer holding such position, the date on which the appointment ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17274/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív):

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 392 on 25 March. Since that reply one adviser, within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, Ms Eadaoin Ní Mhonghaile, was appointed on 24 June. The total salary paid for the period 24 June to date was €11,149.06. Ms Ní Mhonghaile has also been paid €2,061.43 in respect of travelling and subsistence expenses.

In addition to the information previously provided I am informed that Mr. Roynane's appointment ceased on 6 June. The total payment by my Department made in respect of his salary in the period 26 March to 6 June was €36,966.60. He also received a payment of €8,554.40 in respect of severance pay and €1,344.59 in respect of travelling and subsistence expenses. Mr. Ó hÁghmaill's appointment also ceased on 6 June. The total salary paid by my Department for the same period in question was €13,996.26. The allowance paid to Mr. Ó hÁghmaill in respect of his duties as adviser for this period came to €1,330.54. He was also paid €1,078.92 in respect of travelling and subsistence expenses.

Bernard Allen

Question:

1636 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount paid in legal fees by his Department in 1999 to 2001, inclusive, and to date; the persons to whom payment was made; and the amount of payment in each case. [17304/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív):

The Deputy will be aware that my Department was established on 18 June.

I refer to the reply received by the Deputy on 26 March in respect of Parliamentary Question No. 396 concerning the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Since that date there have been four further payments made in respect of legal fees as follows: €97 paid to Noel McCarthy, Bachelor of Law; €161 paid to Fay Breen, Bachelor of Law; €6,558 paid to Philip Lee, Solicitors; €30,745 paid to Margaret O'Drioscoll, Bachelor of Law.