Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2025
628. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of advisors he has appointed, their names, responsibilities and a brief biography of their professional and employment experience. [17238/25]
View answerIn accordance with the guidance provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for the 34th Dáil I have appointed two advisers as follows -
John McDonald
Mr. McDonald has previously served as a Special Adviser to Minister Eamonn Ryan in the Departments of Transport and Environment, Communications and Climate, as well as serving as a Secretarial and Parliamentary Assistant from 2016 to 2020. He brings substantial Oireachtas and policy experience to the role of Special Adviser here in my Department.
Síona Cahill
Ms. Cahill was recently employed as an Account Director in DHR Communications and is a graduate of Civil Law and Sociology at Maynooth University and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII). She has been a regular media contributor across radio and television as well as being a public affairs commentator for a number of national current affairs programmes. She brings considerable media and communications expertise to the role of Special Adviser my Department.
In addition Minister of State, John Cummins T.D. and Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan have appointed one Special Adviser each in accordance with the guidance provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
Ciara Phelan
Ms Phelan has been appointed as Special Adviser by Minister of State Cummins. She has previously worked as Assistant Government Press Secretary and Special Adviser to then Taoiseach, Simon Harris, T.D. in the previous Government. Ms Phelan's interdepartmental knowledge from her tenure in the Department of Taoiseach brings considerable experience to her role as Special Adviser to Minister Cummins. Ms Phelan has also previously worked as a print journalist for two national newspapers and worked in broadcast media for RTÉ and Newstalk. She brings substantial media and communications expertise to the role of Special Adviser.
Don Kingston
Mr Kingston has been appointed as Special Adviser to Minister of State O'Sullivan. He has 20 years’ private sector experience delivering changes in digital transformation and regulatory compliance. He brings considerable experience to the role of Special Adviser.
