Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2011

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Questions (7)

Micheál Martin

Question:

7 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the staff arrangements for the Government Information Service, including personnel contracted or seconded to the service; the responsibilities of all personnel attached to the Government Information Service; his plans, if any, to expand the number of personnel assigned to the Government Information Service above the level in place upon the Government’s formation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9569/11]

Oral answers (11 contributions)

The Taoiseach

There has been no increase in the number of staff currently working in the Government Information Service. The number of staff in the GIS, which includes the Government press office, the communications office and the Government's news website Merrionstreet.ie is 19, 13 of whom are civil servants.

There are two journalism graduates on contract and the remaining four, which include the outgoing Government press secretary, who is staying for a short period of transition, are political appointees. They are broken down as follows: the Government press secretary, the deputy Government press secretary, an assistant Government press secretary, five press officers, a press and information officer and seven administrative-clerical staff.

The Government press office and the Government Information Service provide an information service on Government policy to the public through the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government. It also promotes a co-ordinated approach to media matters across all Departments.

The Government press office and the Government Information Service, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs, organises and manages the media aspects of State visits and major State occasions. Staff in the Government press office and departmental press officers are available after hours and at weekends to answer media queries.

Deputy Micheál Martin

As everyone is beginning to notice, most of what the Taoiseach said before 25 February must be re-examined to see if it still applies. The Taoiseach was extremely clear in his attacks on the Government Information Service and about the work of press and communications in Government Buildings prior to 25 February. In light of the fact he has retained all the functions of that office and most of the people who work there, is it not time he did the decent thing and withdrew all of his partisan comments and attacks on their past work and his central allegation which he repeatedly made in the past that all they produced was partisan propaganda?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy made the valid statement that he was not interested in a Punch and Judy show — nor am I. As he knows, the current GIS has grown from the early days when there were only two major broadsheets to a point now when instantaneous information is available through a whole range of press releases, e-mails, podcasts and webcasts, text messages and so on. From that point of view, what is on www.Merrionstreet.ie is factual news and is not altered to be party political.

Deputy Joe Higgins

Will the Taoiseach elucidate on the mysterious, anonymous spokespersons weakly quoted as sources for the Government who sometimes make very authoritative statements? How does the system work? Who are they and do they have favourite journalists whom they call in the dead of night to make serious revelations on behalf of Ministers or the Taoiseach, fly various kites and send up balloons to see which way the wind is blowing? In a supposedly modern and democratic system it would be much better if, rather than being an anonymous Deep Throat, the spokesperson concerned said on behalf of the Taoiseach what he wanted to say at 11 p.m. and gave the message to the nation. This may also apply to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. Would that be a better way to proceed at this time rather than by way of this ridiculous, old Fleet Street style journalism?

The Taoiseach

The media do not want to wait until 11 p.m. for an answer. If the Deputy ever becomes a Minister, he might find himself in a situation where he is involved in one meeting or another and media sources are looking for answers immediately. At that point one of his press staff might say, "This is what the Minister wants to say." In some cases a spokesman may be attributed. Sometimes I cannot find out who they are. I like to think Ministers are clear in what they say, but it may be the case that on some occasions they are en route to Brussels or involved in meetings when media outlets request an immediate response. On such occasions a spokesperson — anonymous or otherwise but certainly not Deep Throat cells — will respond on behalf of the Minister and the Department. There is nothing mysterious about it. In this case Ministers are happy to respond on issues relevant to their responsibilities.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I welcome the Taoiseach's response and take it from his statement that what emanates from the Government website and the Government Information Service is not propaganda or partisan in party political terms, and that he withdraws from all the attacks he made on the service repeatedly for over two years. I acknowledge his withdrawal of the remarks he made.

The Taoiseach

I can confirm that the Government press website, www.Merrionstreet.ie, no longer carries any Government propaganda.

Deputy Gerry Adams

I appeal to the leader of Fianna Fáil and the Taoiseach to leave the past behind.

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not think a response is necessary.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is about the future. There is no better practitioner of the art of spinning than the leader of Sinn Féin.

The Taoiseach

If Deputy Gerry Adams has left the past behind, he should be in Dublin Castle this evening.