Vol. 448 No. 4
1 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach the terms of employment, remuneration and duties of the Government Press Secretary; in view of the three-party Government arrangement, which of the Government press secretaries is the spokesperson for the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1881/95]
2 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach the terms of employment of the Head of the Government Information Services; whether this is a permanent civil service appointment; and the person who performed this duty from 17 November 1994, to 15 December 1994. [1882/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The three senior posts in the Government Press Secretariat and Government Information Service are: Government Press Secretary; Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of the GIS; Assistant Government Press Secretary.
Details of their terms of employment are set out in the schedule I am circulating in the Official Report.
The role of the Government Press Secretary is to act as the spokesperson for the Government. Just as in the case of previous coaliation Governments, he works with his other two colleagues, as a team, in providing joint briefings for the media. I meet the three of them every day prior to these briefings and I believe that this contributes to more effective communications, both interally and externally.
Mr. John Foley's previous contract as Assistant Government Press Secretary and Head of the GIS terminated only on 15 December 1994 when the former Taoiseach ceased to hold office.
The post of Head of the GIS has been a temporary appointment for more than 20 years, occupied by various persons.
The three senior posts are:—1. Government Press Secretary; 2. Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of the GIS; 3. Assistant Government Press Secretary.
The appointees are engaged on the standard terms and conditions as approved for such appointments, i.e. they hold temporary unestablished positions under contracts that terminate notlater than the date on which the Taoiseach, Deputy John Bruton, ceases to hold office.
Their remuneration is £50,140, £45,146 and £32,000 respectively.
Does the Taoiseach think there was a conflict of interest in the role played by the head of the GIS between 17 November and 15 December when he was acting on behalf of the Labour Party Leader's entourage and was involved in meetings I attended with Deputy Bruton in an effort to put an alternative Government together at a time when he was paid to represent the minority Fianna Fáil Government?
My recollection is that he did not attend the meetings but handled the arrangements regarding the statements that were to be made subsequent to the meetings. My experience of dealing with Mr. John Foley suggests that he fully understands the requirements of his job and would not allow himself to enter into any situation which would lead to a conflict of interest or where there would be difficulty for any of those for whom he was working. I believe that has been the experience of those who worked with him in any capacity.
Does the Taoiseach not remember that Mr. Foley came to a meeting to assist us on how to handle media briefing? At that time he was acting as Head of the Government Information Service and presumably being paid by the taxpayer to represent the then interests of the minority Fianna Fáil Government. Would the Taoiseach not accept that was a clear conflict of interest? Would it not be better to have an established civil servant as head of the GIS who would be in a position to represent the Government's interests even when a minority party pulls out of Government?
I am concerned about naming a person from outside this House who has no redress against accusations made against him in this privileged assembly.
So am I. I do not recollect Deputy Harney raising any objections to this at the time.
I assumed the person had resigned when his party withdrew from Government. It happened when my party was in Government. I was not certain until today that he remained as Head of the Government Information Service, even though his party was not in Government, and continued in a party political role.
Let us not compound matters. Question No. 3.
Will the Taoiseach agree that there was a clear conflict of interest? I am raising this to see that it does not happen again.
I have called the next question.
The Taoiseach should answer the question.
I would prefer to answer that charge which I regard as gratuitous and unnecessary. In my experience. Mr. Foley acted in every respect with the height of integrity and honour. I have no reason to suspect that any of those with whom he worked are in any way unhappy with the way he worked. I am happy with the work he is doing for the Government and I have no doubt that the previous Government was happy with the work he did for it. Anyone acting in a professional capacity as Government Press spokesman understands that the job is to convey the message for those who give instructions. That being the case, given that the job is one of communication rather than origination of the message, no conflict of interest arises. I do not see any problem with anything that happened in this area. I apologise for replying at such length notwithstanding your discouragement. Sir, but since the position of a person who is not a Member of the House and cannot defend himself has been called into question it is necessary for me to do so, even though I may have incurred your wrath in the process.
We have no difficulty with the statement made by the Taoiseach on that matter. The Taoiseach outlined the duties, terms of employment and arrangements that appertain to the three spokespersons for each of the parties. What are the terms of employment, remuneration and duties of those who are unofficial spokespersons and "leakers" for the various parties?
I do not know what the Deputy is talking about.
If the Taoiseach does not know now he soon will.
I have already called Question No. 3. I want to deal with other questions.
I appreciate that but if someone is paid by the taxpayer I am entitled to ask a question. Is it acceptable to the Taoiseach that a person who is a party political appointee and that party is not part of the Government, can continue as head of the Government Information Service?
I have no reason to believe that the then Taoiseach, Deputy Reynolds, had any problems with the continuance in office of Mr. John Foley as head of the Government Information Service. If he objected to it, he had the means of putting that to an end but he did not. Therefore, I have every reason to assume that there is no problem. However, I would have to say that this is not without precedent. For example, the Coalition Government, of which I was proud to be a member, from 1982 to 1987, came to an end with the withdrawal of the Labour Party but the Attorney General in that Government, who had been nominated by the Labour Party to that position, continued in office and advised the then Government even though, for the remainder of its short period in office, it was a one party Government and worked very professionally. I have no doubt that was the case in regard to any advice or assistance tendered by Mr. Foley to the Fianna Fáil Government when it remained in office in the few weeks following the break-up of the previous Coalition Government.
Miss Harney rose.
Question No. 3. I am sorry, Deputy Harney, the Chair considers that these questions have been adequately dealt with. I am proceeding to Question No. 3.
I did not get a chance to ask the Taoiseach a supplementary on Question No. 1.
I am calling Question No. 3.
