Vol. 417 No. 9
1 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will clarify the statement recently attributed to the Government's communications policy adviser, to the effect that it was his job, inter alia, to brief Ministers about Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The post of the special communications adviser recently appointed in my Department is complementary to that of the Government Press Secretary. His job is to advise Ministers on all communications aspects of Government policy and to improve the communications structures within Government as part of our new open policy on transmission of information.
I put it to the Taoiseach that if Mr. Savage's own statement in relation to his role and responsibility was taken literally it would be in contradiction of the constitutional position in relation to collective responsibility. Secondly, would he consider the fact that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications made different statements in relation to the Protocol on Sunday and Monday of this week as a failure on the part of Mr. Savage?
On a fair reading of the article to which the Deputy refers it would be taking it out of context to infer as the Deputy has suggested. The specification of the job is as I outlined here and I totally reject any question of differences. It depends on what you interpret and the emphasis you put on what various people say. In general terms it is quite clear from that article that his job is related to the improvement of communications and in no way does he represent anything more than what I have just said. Anything more would be totally outside the remit.
I welcome the clarification from the Taoiseach because on my fair reading of that article Mr. Savage said his function was to brief Ministers on Government policy. Obviously, I have no difficulty with briefing Ministers on the communications aspects of Government policy.
Agreed.
Question No. 2, please.
