The Department has a number of civil service staff whose primary function is to provide it with specialist advice in areas such as engineering, sustainability and legal services. I assume, however, that the question refers to non-civil service staff appointed as advisors to Ministers. Three such advisors have been appointed to support me in my role as Minister: a press advisor at €80,051 per annum, a Special Advisor at €105,837 and a Policy Advisor (in lieu of a Personal Assistant) at €48,520.
While it is unclear what is meant by the Deputy's reference to high level committee appointees, there have been some such appointments to committees under the aegis of the Department since 2009 as set out below.
Ms Julie O'Neill was appointed as Chairperson of the High Level Steering Group on the proposed NRA/RPA Merger in May 2010 for a fee of €9, 950 for 16 days work plus a further €622 per diem rate payable for a maximum of 3 further days.
The Tourism Renewal Implementation Group was set up in 2010 but has since ceased to operate. There were no fees paid to any of the members who were as follows:
Ms Mary Hanafin, Chairperson and then Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
Mr. Tony Kelly, Marketing Director, Irish Ferries
Ms Fiona O'Sullivan, Director, Custom Ireland
Mr. John Raferty, Downhill Inn Hotel, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Mr. Ed Ronayne, Ronayne Catering Ltd
Mr. Eamonn McKeon, Chief Executive, Irish Tourist Industry Confederation
Mr. Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland
Mr. Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland
Mr. Paul Bates, an Assistant Secretary of my Department.
The London 2012 Olympics Coordinating Group was established in November 2009. No fees are paid to any of the members who are as follows:
Mr. Michael Ring, T.D.Chair and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport
Mr. Eugene Downes, Culture Ireland
Mr. Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland
Mr. Liam Harbison, Paralympics Ireland
Ms Orlaith McBride, Arts Council
Mr. Donagh Morgan, an Assistant Secretary of my Department
Mr. Niall O Donnchu, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Ms Louise Kelly, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Aidan Pender, Failte Ireland
Mr. John Treacy, Irish Sports Council
Mr. Gerry Wrynn, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
The Taxi Regulation Review Steering Group was established in June 2011. No fees are paid to any of the members who are as follows:
Minister of State Mr. Alan Kelly T.D., Chairman
Mr. Pat Byrne, Vice-Chairman (currently Chairman of Taxi Advisory Committee)
Mr. John Murphy, a former Assistant Secretary of my Department, replaced by
Mr. Dermot McCarthy, an Assistant Secretary of my Department
Ms Kathleen Doyle, Director of Taxi Regulation, National Transport Authority
Mr. Hugh Creegan, Director of Transport Planning and Investment, National Transport Authority
Mr. Brendan Callaghan, Principal Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Mr. John Evans, Manager, Monopolies Division, The Competition Authority
Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, National Traffic Corps, An Garda Síochána
Superintendent Declan Brogan, Carriage Office, An Garda Síochána
Superintendent Con O'Donohue, Garda National Traffic Bureau, An Garda Síochána (replacement for Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre)
Mr. Philip Cox, Principal Officer, Special Investigation Unit, Department of Social Protection
Mr. Derek McGovern, taxi dispatch operator
Mr. Christy Humphreys, member of the Joint Taxi Council
Mr. Kevin Finn, taxi driver
Mr. John Keane, Taxi Alliance of Ireland
Mr. James Doorley, former Chair of Consumer Association of Ireland and Director of National Youth Council
Mr. Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link
Ms Siobhán Barron, Director, National Disability Authority
Ms Renee Dempsey, Chief Executive, Equality Authority
Mr. Tim O'Sullivan, Executive Manager, Roads and Traffic Department, Dublin City Council.