I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.
The Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 sets specific responsibilities on office holders in relation to the employment of special advisers. Generally speaking, any special adviser who is appointed pursuant to the Public Service Management Act 1997 will be required, not later than 31 January each year, to provide a statement of interests to the employing office holder and the Standards in Public Office Commission. The office holder is then required to lay a copy of that statement before each House of the Oireachtas.
Additionally, where a special adviser has a material interest in a function falling to be performed, he or she will provide the employing office holder, and the Standards Commission, with a statement of the facts of the interest. An office holder will also, in the case of a special adviser, lay, before each House, a statement of the qualifications of the person which are relevant to the position.
In addition, an office holder is required to lay two other documents before the Houses, (1) a copy of the contract of service and (2) a statement as to whether the person is a relative of the office holder. There is no requirement under the Ethics in Public Office Acts for a declaration from special advisors of current or previous membership or association with a political party. I can confirm that I have laid the appropriate documentation before the Houses and, as such, they are a matter of public record.