Enda Kenny
Question:1 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the arrangements in place within his Department for maintaining contact with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15537/09]
Ceisteanna — Questions.
Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board.
I recently met with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board during my Saint Patrick's Day visit to the United States. The body provides a structure through which the thinking of the most senior and successful leaders of corporate Irish-America can be conveyed directly, and at the highest level, to the Government. My Department maintains contact with the body primarily through the Irish Embassy in Washington, as well as through visits and meetings.
On 5 May, President Obama proposed major changes to tax rules for American companies operating in Ireland, and the Government is aware of this. The White House identified Bermuda, Ireland and the Netherlands as low tax countries that account for nearly one third of all foreign profits reported by US corporations in 2003. The President believes that the current rules that encourage US companies to take advantage of low tax regimes overseas need to be overhauled. Has the Government carried out an assessment of the major American companies based in Ireland and how they might be affected by this statement from Washington, in view of the great number of people that these companies employ here? Has the Taoiseach asked any of his Ministers to make direct contact with the directors of those corporations here to see how they are assessing the impact of President Obama's comments? Has he directed the Irish ambassador in Washington or his staff to make contact with the White House about how Ireland might potentially lose serious revenue?
When the Taoiseach visited the US recently, he launched a review of Irish-US relations, which proposed the establishment of a new Irish-American leadership council. What progress has been made on that? Have any further meetings taken place? Is there a scheme in mind or a structure to deal with the review of the relations between Ireland and the US?
I raised the tax deferral issue with President Obama when I met him on Saint Patrick's Day. At that time, the President confirmed that this was an issue not to be resolved overnight. He was mindful of the possible impact on Ireland, but he would act with caution and would be ready to discuss any potential unintended consequences. The Tánaiste also met with senior members of the US Administration to discuss the issue, including the Treasury Secretary, Mr. Geithner, in a visit to Washington on 20 and 21 April.
The proposals published on 4 May now go to the US Congress for consideration and these have potentially wide ranging effects on investments made by US companies worldwide. The US will be anxious not to hurt its global competitiveness. A senior IDA executive is working with our embassy in Washington to monitor and engage with the issue. Senior officials of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the IDA and the Revenue Commissioners have been meeting regularly on US tax policy issues. The Government will continue to ensure that the message of the positive experience of US companies based in Ireland and competing in Europe feeds into the deliberations of the Obama Administration and of the US Congress.
One of the cornerstones of America's success has been its leading role as a global trading nation. The US National Bureau for Economic Research has estimated that every dollar invested abroad by American multinational companies generates $3.50 in investment back in the US. American companies have invested in Ireland not out of sentiment but because they have seen excellent returns. These investments generate profits which protect and create jobs and investment in both Ireland and the US. They help to develop the centres of management excellence, the active networks and the deep pools of knowledge that are essential to economic recovery in both countries.
The Irish-American leadership council has not yet been set up, but the Minister for Foreign Affairs is working on it. We are also looking at bringing a major seminar to Ireland in September, which will be a timely occasion to proceed with that initiative. Our embassy, staff and ambassador will be maintaining a close liaison with the various committees of the House of Representatives who will be dealing with the Obama proposals, including the ways and means committee. We expect Congressman Richie Neal to be the vice chairman. He has been an outstanding friend to Ireland over many years and on many issues. We also have a number of contacts in Congress that will enable us to monitor closely congressional thinking on these matters. As I stated, this is a process that will continue for some months, if not years.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, would he consider it appropriate that the Minister of State liaise directly with the directors of American corporations in Ireland? Has the Taoiseach received any expressions of concern from American plants in Ireland which repatriate their profits and as such would be subject to the changed rules proposed from the White House? Would he deem it appropriate that an accurate report be compiled of these firms, which employ 100,000 people in Ireland, in order to obtain from them a firsthand account of what is likely to happen? Has the Taoiseach received any expressions of concern from such firms?
Corporate America will be making its views known and setting out how it sees the proposal developing and evolving in terms of its meeting policy objectives. While we must respect the right of any government to set out a taxation policy we will need to use the good relationship we enjoy with the US Administration and Congress to ensure all aspects, or any unintended adverse impacts of the tax proposal as it evolves, are taken into account. The Minister for Foreign Affairs met a couple of weeks ago at the American Ireland Fund some industrialists from corporate America and spoke with some of their people who have an involvement in the tax issue. It is a matter of supplementing and augmenting an effort undertaken by corporate America through its interaction with Congress. As a country with a great deal of foreign direct investment from the United States we will be keeping a close eye on this issue with a view to persuading or influencing in a positive way the evolution of this proposal. We must take a balanced and sensible approach to this and not make demands left, right and centre that might result in a negative impact. We must be diplomatic, know what are the issues, focus on them as they affect us and work with others so that the overall outcome is acceptable, in particular from our point of view.
The Taoiseach has told us about the efforts being made at official level to liaise with US legislators and the US Administration in regard to the taxation issue in the US, which I welcome. To that end, what contacts are being made at Government level, in particular in the context of the legislation which will be considered on Capitol Hill? In that context, would the Taoiseach consider it useful to provide briefings to the Opposition parties here on the progress of those contacts and discussions to ensure a united political front on the issue from this end?
It appears there are a number of issues on which a common position emanating from the main political parties in this State would be helpful, including concern in regard to the changes in the US tax regime, a commitment to the retention of our current rate of corporate tax and a commitment to our future in the European Union. There are a number of issues which I believe are of concern to US businesses located here and considering locating here. I suggest that on these issues it is desirable a harmonious voice politically emanates from this State. I suggest the Taoiseach arrange to have the Opposition parties briefed on the issue.
I have no problem in principle with keeping Opposition leaders informed of any developments that are noteworthy in terms of movement of the original proposition. I take Deputy Gilmore's point that it is important, for example, that the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland and other business groups are able to convey to their counterparts in the United States that there is a strong united front on our part to do whatever we can, consistent with proper and appropriate diplomacy and working hand-in-hand with the US Administration and Congress in a positive and constructive way, to ensure we obtain a positive outcome, as we have done in the past when certain tax issues arose and we needed to end up at a point where the Administration's objectives were to a greater or lessor extent met which, at the same time, did not have an adverse impact on arrangements here. We can correspond with the Opposition parties and keep them updated on these issues.
The Taoiseach referred to an upcoming conference in September. Will he share with the House the detail of what exactly is intended? Is it something akin or related to the Washington conference for trade and investment held in early 1997? If it is not such an initiative should we be considering one in terms of job retention and creation in this State and of generating interest in regard to the potential and opportunities Ireland offers in terms of inward investment? Perhaps the Taoiseach will share with the House what exactly is proposed and will provide us with a sense that is the course he is undertaking.
The conference which it is intended to hold in September is a type of global economic forum bringing together people of influence and expertise from the diaspora, not alone from the US but worldwide to discuss developments in the economy over the next ten years. It will also consider where Ireland fits into that scenario and how it can develop a strategic view of its own policy framework in terms of whether there are other ideas, initiatives or approaches we need to consider. It will also seek to get the benefit of the ensuing expertise and insight from various people around the world so that Ireland and the Irish Government are up to speed with developments and in a position to identify where, over the next five to ten years, the drivers for growth for the Irish economy might be in terms of job creation and investment policy. I believe it is a positive exercise which is being well received and responded to.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is taking up this initiative on behalf of Government and I look forward to it. It is, in a way, a wider version of the Ireland America Advisory Board in respect of those in the United States who have been helpful to us down through the years. Many of the heads of corporate America have been able to indicate to us the trends in technology and various important industries, including pharmaceuticals, IT and others and this has been helpful to us and the IDA in devising investment strategies and plans for some of those companies to locate here, many of which subsequently did so.
The Taoiseach indicated that the lead Department is the Department of Foreign Affairs. Will he indicate if the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is also directly involved? In addition to what has been already outlined, will he indicate if it is intended in September to ensure a proactive approach on the part of the IDA and the various enterprise boards throughout the country to target potential interest while people are here, thus ensuring the conference is not just a sharing of information and a building up of a knowledge base with which to work? People from a variety of international business interests coming here should also have as part of their itinerary in Ireland a direct engagement with those who are entrusted with promoting the potential of locating here and creating jobs.
If one considers other diasporas, including those from Israel, India and others, it is clear that we have used our diaspora in the United States and in the UK for the purpose of helping to consolidate the peace process, which was a priority and a precondition for establishing some stability and being able to engage the diaspora. One of the great outcomes of the peace process is that we now have a united diaspora with us. We have a diaspora that is very knowledgeable about modern Ireland. We have a very informed public in those countries where our diaspora is located because of its involvement in peace building, etc.
We now need to broaden that approach. We need to look at talented high achievers who may not be Irish but be of Irish extraction or have a very strong sense of Ireland. While they may be many generations assimilated into their country of birth they still have a very strong sense of Irishness and want to contribute very positively to the success of Ireland. That is a broader definition that we need to corral into constructive purpose. This initiative provides an opportunity to identify many people in dispersed fields of activity who can come to Ireland, sit down on the basis of a very good agenda and work through these issues to help the Government to improve its thinking as to where strategically Ireland can go and where the opportunities might emerge.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is organising that initiative for Government and is working across Departments and agencies, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. All of that is being pulled together under his leadership.
Irish commentators and many significant Irish players in the US have expressed their deep concern that major multinational companies, which have invested in Ireland and collectively employ thousands of people here, may need to seriously consider withdrawing from operating in the country. Has that concern been raised with the Taoiseach or any of his Ministers? I do not doubt the integrity of either the officials or the conference the Minister is planning. However, is it not the case that other countries in this predicament may be using professional lobbyists in America to make their case to the Congress and Senate? Will the Government consider operating with these professional people in America to make the strongest possible case to the US Administration regarding the concerns of our Government and people in this respect?
As things stand there are no indications that there is about to be a major outflow of American companies from the country. There are issues that will now need to be addressed and on which we will need to work. No kind of exodus is about to begin. Thankfully we have seen second and third stage investments here in higher end manufacturing and in research and development, which will deepen the roots of these multinational institutions in Ireland for the foreseeable future because of the quality of the people we have available to work. The research and development regime we have built up encourages Ireland to continue to be a location for such investment. Ireland still stays very competitive in these areas. We will continue to adapt our policies to meet those requirements.
With respect, the question is whether companies have approached any Ministers.
No, they have not. There is no one.
I am sorry. I did not hear the Taoiseach.
There are not people lining up to leave Ireland. I have said the opposite. There are people who have been in Ireland and who are investing in Ireland and continue to invest in Ireland. There has been an increase in the first quarter of this year compared with last year, despite the difficulty of the country's economy contracting by 8% this year. The level of foreign direct investment in the first quarter has increased compared with the first quarter in 2008. That is an indication of the wider competitiveness issues that apply in terms of the personnel available, the high-end manufacturing and the value that is added by these types of investments and the fact that Ireland remains an excellent location for such investment.
On the point about lobbyists, we use our diplomatic channels and our agencies to put the case on behalf of the State. They have been doing a fine job in that respect. There are occasions when some tax specialist needs to be employed to assist. It may be a tax specialist involved with IDA Ireland, which is the case here. He is located in the embassy in Washington at present to assist and augment and monitor developments from site and to acquaint himself in a personal way with those to whom he needs to be able to speak and with whom he needs to build up a rapport.
I do not buy into the argument that the best way to make a case is to get a professional lobbyist. The best way to make our case is by having people on the ground of competence and ability, who have contacts and are doing their work as good diplomats. We also augment that with other expertise as required. That is the sensible approach. Where certain specialities are required they can be bought in for a limited period of time.
I agree that one of the major causes of concern stems from what President Obama is saying about possible changes in tax laws. As the Taoiseach outlined, the issue of competitiveness is also very important. I was in Silicon Valley in March 2008. The Minister was there at that time. A senior IDA Ireland official, who was on the delegation with me, said that Irish competitiveness was a major factor in selling Ireland. He gave the example that the total cost of employing a person in Ireland at that time was $28 per hour. The total cost of employing somebody in Silicon Valley was $26 per hour. It was cheaper to employ somebody in Silicon Valley than in Ireland at that time. In Poland it cost $6 per hour. That was last March 12 months. He also emphasised that energy costs were the highest in the competing destinations.
I returned there this March — at my own expense. The chief executive of the chamber of commerce in San José advised us that we were the first Irish group she had met in months. The Chinese and Indians were queuing up outside her door. There were three delegations from different cities in China waiting to meet her that morning. Representatives of one Chinese city were even taking the unit next door to her in order to carry out their lobbying in Silicon Valley. Apart from the attitude of President Obama to the tax laws, there are other issues that we also need to address.
There is a very energetic network operating in Silicon Valley, the Irish Technology Leadership Group. The group presented an award to the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin in March 2008. It brought over a large number of chief executives to Dublin and the Minister addressed the meeting in Trinity College. It is bringing chief executives to Northern Ireland in October. The proposed forum to be held in September will be in competition with what it is trying to do in Northern Ireland. We need to be careful to explain to these people, who are spending the money from their own pockets, that there will not be a conflict between both conferences.
I assure the Deputy that there is no competition or problem. The more delegations that come, both North and South, the more we welcome them. If we get 20 of them in the same month, all the better as far I am concerned.
I am aware of the Irish Technology Leadership Group and have met its representatives who are doing very good work. They have made a commitment to also working on the Northern side, which is perfectly fine. The IDA's record as a State agency speaks for itself. I do not claim everything was got right on every occasion but much more was done correctly than wrongly in regard to this country's foreign direct investment policy.
We have also become the tenth largest investor in the United States. Overseas investment between our countries is a two-way flow and Irish companies employ more than 82,000 people across all 50 of the United States. That statistic is not well known. Last year alone, more than 27 companies opened offices in the United States and more than 40 Irish companies have a presence in New York.
The level of foreign direct investment in Ireland relative to the size of the economy is one of the highest in the world. More than 1,000 multinational companies operate in Ireland, including many of the leaders in information technology and software, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, life sciences and international financial services.
What about competitiveness?
I am coming to that.
Thank you.
US businesses form the biggest component of these investments. More than 450 US companies operate in Ireland and they have invested over $55 billion in this country.
In regard to competitiveness issues, significant adjustments are clearly being made to labour cost competitiveness in the context of this downturn. The European Commission and others have commented on the flexibility displayed by the Irish workforce in taking wage cuts across many sectors not only in the interest of maintaining the maximum level of employment as we go through this downturn and its reduced orders and real economic effects, but also in response to the need to address the competitiveness question. It is also clear that labour cost competitiveness is not the full picture when it comes to competitiveness. Ireland's ability to compete also relates to the quality of our people, the output of our work and the higher productivity available here.
In regard to why people invest, certain sectors of American industry, such as low end manufacturing, are no longer interested in coming to Ireland because they can find better locations at home in the United States or in South America and other parts of the world. For some time, Ireland's strategy has been to enter the area of high value manufacturing because that is where the best wages are provided for our people. That strategy has worked very well for us.
Jobs churn in every country or society that matures and develops. Thankfully we are all earning better wages now than we did 25 years ago because the jobs of that period are now located elsewhere. The jobs now available could never have been contemplated without the various changes that have taken place and the investments made in education and research and development. I have been told in New York by certain industries that they could not consider Ireland as a location once they learned our average industrial wage. However, other companies, including the leaders in several sectors of the modern economy, have located here and many spin off jobs arise from their investments as Irish entrepreneurs feed into the supply chains and begin to internationalise their businesses. This is reflected in the two-way trade that now takes place between the United States and Ireland not only in volume or value terms, but also in the cross-investments in US companies by Irish entrepreneurs to the tune of directly employing 82,000 over there.
Departmental Staff.
Enda Kenny
Question:2 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the duties and responsibilities of the special political advisers as appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15539/09]
Enda Kenny
Question:3 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of political advisers or assistants appointed by the Attorney General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15559/09]
Enda Kenny
Question:4 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the names, titles and duties of the programme managers and advisers appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15563/09]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:5 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the special political advisers or other non-established civil servants appointed to positions within his Department since his election as Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16605/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:6 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the roles and responsibilities of the special political advisers appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19974/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together.
My advisers are Joe Lennon, programme manager; Gerry Steadman, special adviser; Brian Murphy, special adviser; Declan Ryan, special adviser; Peter Clinch, special adviser; and Oliver O'Connor, special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children.
The programme manager at my Department is the principal special adviser appointed by the Government. The role and duties of special advisers are described in section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. In summary, these comprise providing advice, monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives that relate to the Department as requested and performing such other functions as may be directed. Under the direction of the programme manager, the primary function of the special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government.
I appointed Mr. Pádraig Slyne as special adviser to the Chief Whip. I also appointed three non-established civil servants to the Office of the Government Chief Whip, one of whom is based in the Whip's private office and two in his Finglas constituency office, where they are work sharers.
In addition, I appointed Mr. Eoghan Ó Neachtain as Government press secretary and two deputy Government press secretaries, Mr. Mark Costigan and Mr. John Downing. They are supported by two non-established civil servants. The Government press secretary and press officers provide a public information service on Government policy the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government and promote a co-ordinated approach to media matters across all Departments. The central task of the deputy Government press secretaries is to assist the Government press secretary in communicating to the media the decisions of Government.
The personal assistants and personal secretaries in my Department have a range of duties including providing administrative assistance in the constituency office, protocol division and the Office of the Government Chief Whip. The Green Party programme manager, although based in Government Buildings, is not a member of staff of my Department.
Special advisers are tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, environmental, administrative and media matters and performing such other functions as may be directed by me from time to time. In addition, a number of my advisers have specific responsibilities for speech drafting. My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis and reports to me on progress thereon.
Special advisers are appointed by Government decision under section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and with reference to Department of Finance directions on ministerial staff appointments.
On the recommendation of the Attorney General, Mr. Paul Gallagher, Mr. Francis Kieran was appointed as special assistant to the Attorney General to act as a liaison between his office, myself and other Departments on matters relevant to the programme for Government and to keep the Attorney General informed on items arising in the Oireachtas or media which could impinge on or be relevant to his role. The position of Attorney General is not a political position and as such Mr. Kieran does not provide political advice.
The Government spent €6.2 million in 2008 on special advisers, media advisers and other personally appointed staff. Given the commitment to reduce public service pay by 3%, does the Taoiseach agree that it is time to examine the scale of appointments of special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State?
The Minister for Health and Children is in second place to the Taoiseach, having spent over €514,000 in 2008 on personal appointments and special advisers. The Taoiseach's predecessor defended the number of advisers to the Minister on the basis that she was the leader of the minority party in Government. Given that is no longer the case, I ask the Taoiseach to comment on whether this is still appropriate.
Why is the Minister's former programme manager now paid for by the Department of the Taoiseach? His title has been changed to "special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children". Is this some kind of creative accountancy or what is the reason for it? Given that the Minister also has a press officer in the Government information service, why is this necessary at a time when wards are being closed and people are complaining about a variety of health service issues? Substantial sums of money are obviously involved, so the Taoiseach might like to comment.
The figure of €6.2 million, if it is correct, is approximately 0.002% of the Government's total expenditure of more than €65 billion. The system of special advisers was first introduced in 1992 and has been maintained by every Government since then.
I know that.
We are working within the legislative and strategic framework set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997.
I refer to the question about Mr. Oliver O'Connor, the special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children, coming under my guise. I believe that, because it is such an important Department which is undergoing major reforms, there is plenty of work to be done by him on behalf of the Government and the Minister for Health and Children and he is attached to my office on the basis that only a limited number of advisers can be appointed to any particular ministerial post. There is no such limit in my Department.
Do the terms of the Government decision on the embargo on the recruitment of staff and the renewal of staff apply to the political staff employed by the Taoiseach and other Ministers? Were requests made by his Department to the Minister for Finance to sanction the filling of vacancies in his political staff since the Government circular issued on 27 March? In reply to previous questions on this issue, the Taoiseach told us there would be a 10% reduction in the costs of ministerial offices and offices of Ministers of State. What reduction has been achieved to date in his Department?
The contracts relating to advisers terminate on the termination of office of the holder of the office.
Will that be soon?
Unfortunately, not as soon as the Deputy thinks and, perhaps, far too prolonged for his career to be able to withstand it.
That is what the Taoiseach's predecessor said.
He has been right so far.
He was counting the number of Labour Party leaders he had seen off.
We all live in hope.
With regard to the second matter, I am not aware if there have been applications to terminate appointments or to seek a contract renewal. I do not think there has been. On the third question, there has been a 10% saving. I replied to this question on another occasion and we have brought in efficiencies to the tune of 13%.
Do any of the special advisers have specific or special responsibility relating to the peace process, the ongoing working relationship with the Executive at Stormont or directly with the British Government in the context of the peace process and outstanding elements outflowing from the Good Friday Agreement? I am particularly minded of the question in the presence of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Mansergh, and others who have had these specific areas of responsibility previously. What are the current arrangements? Do special advisers have specific responsibilities in those areas?
No, special advisers do not have specific responsibilities in those areas. Those responsibilities are taken up by established civil servants.
How much worse off would the country be if special political advisers were not in place because the country has gone down the tubes over the past 12 months? Unemployment has increased by almost 90% on what it was this time last year. The health service is on its knees throughout the country and law and order is out of control. What experience or qualifications have special advisers? Were they interviewed for the positions they hold? In the past Fianna Fáil appointed people with no experience and there was a jobs for the boys culture within the organisation. A former Taoiseach from my own county appointed all and sundry associated with Fianna Fáil to various positions.
This is Question Time. The Deputy will have to make his party political broadcast on another occasion.
The advisers employed are doing their work capably and well and they enjoy the confidence of those for whom they work. If they did not, they would not be in the employment they hold. They cannot be held responsible for the international financial crisis and every other issue that has happened, no more than a poor Opposition can.
Perhaps they did not advise the Taoiseach and his Ministers about the commentaries of international financial commentators about the possibility of a crisis. He stated yesterday that it was not possible to predict any of this, yet there were many stark warnings.
Are all of the programme managers paid out of the Votes of individual Ministers? In other words, is the programme manager for the Minister for Foreign Affairs paid out of that Department's Vote? I recall the time the programme manager concept was introduced and, at its core, it has had an impact on freeing up the business being done by Ministers. Why is the programme manager for the Minister for Health Children paid for by the Department of the Taoiseach? Is there a specific reason for that if every other programme manager is paid for out of individual Votes? The Department of Health and Children has another press officer attached to the Government Information Service. Why is this when Professor Drumm has a battery of media staff and spin doctors to continually send out streams of information about what is happening or not happening, as the case might be, in the HSE?
The health matters of Government have to be communicated to the public and dealt with in the normal way. The Department of Health and Children has its requirements in that regard as well and the person concerned does an excellent job. He is highly respected by the profession with whom he deals. As I said in regard to Mr. O'Connor, health is a huge issue for the Government and future Governments and they need someone with the expertise and ability to fashion the reforms that are necessary and ongoing. The reason the programme manager is paid for by my Department is that there is no limit on the number of advisers attached to my Department.
The Government is closing down wards after four months.
This has nothing to do with that.
The party formerly known as the Progressive Democrats was a signatory to an agreement to go into Government with Fianna Fáil. How many advisers, programme managers and special consultants have been decommissioned since the demise of the party or are they all still on the payroll?
The questions are about the Taoiseach's special advisers.
No, they are about all advisers.
Some work for the Minister of Health and Children in that capacity. It is an onerous position.
It is getting more onerous.
An adviser attached to my Department also advises me on health matters.