Enda Kenny
Question:6 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the names and duties of the special or political advisers appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15219/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Departmental Appointments.
Section 11(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997 makes provision for the appointment of special advisers to my office. As provided for in section 11(3) of the Act, the terms and conditions of these appointments are subject to determination by the Minister for Finance. Such appointments are exempt from the general rules governing civil servants and politics, for example, they can be members of political parties. The appointments are also subject to the Civil Service Regulations Acts 1956 to 1996 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.
Currently the advisers who assist me in dealing with Government business are Gerry Hickey, special adviser-programme manager; Joe Lennon, special adviser; Gerard Howlin, special adviser; Brian Murphy, special adviser; Úna Claffey, special adviser; and Carl Gibney, special adviser to the Government Chief Whip. Katherine Bulbulia, programme manager for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is also based in my Department.
The role of these advisers is to keep me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, administrative and media matters. Under the direction of the programme manager, their primary function is to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the Government's programme.
Each of the advisers liaises with a number of Departments and acts as a point of contact in my office for Ministers and their advisers. They attend meetings of Cabinet committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to their responsibilities. They also liaise, on my behalf, with organisations and interest groups outside of Government.
In addition, a number of my advisers have specific responsibilities in relation to speech drafting. My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis and reviews the papers for the Government meeting of that week. He monitors and reports to me on the programme for Government.
It appears that the number of advisers and political assistants employed by the Government is larger than that employed by the British Government. Does the Taoiseach have comparative figures? Prime Minister Blair is grappling with the problems of 55 million people.
I hope the Taoiseach's advisers do not get him into the same trouble as Prime Minister Blair.
Is there a code of conduct for political advisers or any intention to introduce one? I am not saying they fall outside the normal rules but is there a specific code of conduct that applies to those appointed?
There is and it has been tightened up considerably in recent years. They are included in and must comply with the Ethics in Public Office Act, and have to fill in separate forms. I assure the Deputies that, from my experience of dealing with Prime Minister Blair, I do not want his set up. I am not sure what his political advisers are called but there is an enormous number of them.
Deputy Kenny knows that well.
Would it make the Taoiseach's job easier if he had such a set up?
Does the Taoiseach feel an obligation to reduce the numbers he told us about in his reply in line with the reductions that have to be withstood in community organisations throughout the State, with cutbacks in FÁS and other spending curtailments? Is there not a need to maintain some credibility in this regard by announcing reductions in his own staff?
One of my staff left on 13 January and that post has not been filled.
Is it accurate to say that the cost of the five advisers answerable to the Taoiseach is in the region of €500,000 per annum –€2.5 million in a five year term? Will the Taoiseach give me the exact figure? Does he agree that is a costly exercise in spin?
The special advisers are not involved in spin, they are involved in the organisation of Government business. They do not have any dealing with the media.
How much do they cost?
I set out the costs in reply to a recent question and I will give the Deputy a copy of that reply.