Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:9 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the changes, if any, he is considering to the role of the Government Information Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16483/00]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Government Information Services.
John Bruton
Ceist:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to reorganise the Government Information Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16732/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the role of the Government press secretariat and the Government Information Services as outlined in the strategy statement of the Department of the Taoiseach – to disseminate Government policy and information to the media and the public; to promote a comprehensive information service to the national and international media and to the public on behalf of the Government, the Taoiseach and his Department and to promote a co-ordinated approach to all media matters across Government Departments.
Over the past number of years, staffing levels in the Government press service have diminished, despite the fact that there has been a dramatic increase in its workload due to the huge expansion of domestic and international media in Ireland and the ever increasing use of the Internet. In order to allow the Government press service fulfil its role as outlined in the Department's strategy statement, it is necessary to restore the staffing complement to the levels of previous Administrations and to reorganise the office to ensure a more efficient and effective operation. This will involve an increase of two in the personnel working in the area following the completion of the reorganisation which is envisaged towards the end of July.
Does the Taoiseach agree that successive Governments, including his own, have clearly had a division in terms of function between the Government Information Services, which gives out factual information in respect of requests or any other way in which that information must be given to the public, and the press office of the Government of the day that gave a political interpretation or briefing on behalf of the political actions of the Government of the day? Is he concerned that the changes proposed could in fact blur that distinction and that civil servants could find themselves in effect putting political spin on the actions of the Government of the day, which is not their appropriate function?
No, I do not think there is any danger of that. The GIS will still do its job and those who are dealing directly with the media on a day-to-day level will do their job.
It is Alice in Wonderland stuff.
I would not say that either of them does a spin. I think they both try to do their jobs to the best of their ability.