Vol. 427 No. 6
94 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people who are members of Fianna Fáil or the Labour Party appointed by him and the Minister of State at his Department since assuming office; and the position held by each of these people in the relevant political party.
It is being taken that the Deputy's question refers exclusively to the personal advisory and secretarial staff appointed by me and by the Minister of State at my Department, Ms Joan Burton, TD.
As far as I am aware no one of the people appointed by me is a member of Fianna Fáil or the Labour Party.
It is a well established practice in successive Governments that a Minister appoints a small number of staff who are considered to have the experience and qualifications needed to assist him or her in carrying out the Government's Programme.
I trust that the Deputy is not implying in his question that those who participate in the political process do not make an important contribution in serving the public and the democratic process.
I understand from the Minister of State at my Department that one of the staff appointed by her is an ordinary member of the Labour Party. The staff member concerned was appointed as her Dáil Secretary on being elected a TD and, on her appointment as Minister of State, was appointed as her Personal Assistant.
