asked the Taoiseach if he, or either of his Ministers of State has directed any of the staff employed in his or her departmental constituency office to travel to or work directly in the local constituency clinic; if such practice, if any, is in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Constituency Work.
7.
In her absence abroad on official business a member of staff attached to the constituency office of the Minister of State at my Department, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has represented the Minister at her constituency clinics on two occasions to make notes for the Minister of representations made by members of the public. The duties of the officer concerned normally involve receiving such representations by telephone or by correspondence.
Is the Taoiseach aware that at least two members of the Government avail of the practice which, I presume, he does not support?
I certainly do not support it and did not support it when the last Government engaged in it to a very great extent. It is important, however, to try to keep a sense of proportion. If a Minister has to go abroad unexpectedly and has made some arrangements, I do not think it unreasonable to have a member of the staff of the Minister's office stand in on an occasion in a very limited and exceptional way. Apart from that, I would not agree.
I completely agree with the Taoiseach on that aspect. In fact, we are unduly critical. Would he share the view that in the matter of ordinary ministerial work, it is not proper to ask a private secretary to travel out of Dublin on a regular basis to attend in a constituency and do ordinary clinical work in that constituency? That is not, I presume, worthy of his support?
No. I would not think that was justifiable procedure.
I call Ceist 8.
(Limerick East): Can the Taoiseach assure the House——
A brief question, Deputy. I have called the next question.
(Limerick East): Can the Taoiseach assure the House that none of his Ministers has exactly this arrangement with civil servants in their Departments who on a weekly basis hold clinics in their constituencies?
I am aware of no such practice, but the Deputy should proceed very carefully in this area. I know members of the Government of which he was a member did engage in that practice. I think the situation we are in at present——
(Limerick East): You have no basis for saying that.
I have. We did not engage in that practice while in Opposition. I do not believe in this kind of nitpicking politics. Let us all get on with our jobs. The Government have a tough job to do——
You have no foundation for saying that.
——and we are entitled to all the resources we can have to do that job and I say the same for the Opposition. I do not think that this sort of nitpicking——
(Limerick East): You should withdraw that remark. You have no basis for making that allegation.
Question No. 8, please.
There is no disputing that it is not Civil Service work.
I beg your pardon. I am not clear on the point the Deputy is making. I said we did not engage in this sort of politics when we were in Opposition and I recommend that that party do the same.
Question No. 8.
(Limerick East): Does the Taoiseach, think it is proper that civil servants should do constituency work on a regular weekly basis? I do not think it is.
Question No. 8 has been called.