Vol. 463 No. 3
414 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he or the Minister(s) of State at his Department have directed any of the staff employed in the departmental constituency office to work directly in the local constituency clinic; if so, if this practice is in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6487/96]
I have not directed any of the staff currently employed in my departmental constituency office to work directly in my local constituency clinic.
There have been occasions in the past where a member of staff has assisted me in my local constituency clinic. These incidents were, however, rare and only occurred on occasions where ministerial duties prevented me from devoting enough of my own time to constituency matters.
As it is the function of my departmental constituency office to liaise with my constituents while I am dealing with my departmental portfolio I am satisfied that these occasional occurrences were not in conflict with the public interest.
Neither of the Ministers of State at my Department have employed departmental staff to assist at their local constituency clinics.
