Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1321, 1326, 1341)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1321. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister or Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time he or she was appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if it was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37490/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1326. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so, the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37571/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1341. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which they were increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40018/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321, 1326 and 1341 together.

I have not appointed any special advisers in my role as Minister for Defence. I have however engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines concerning ministerial appointments. Similarly, no special advisers have been appointed by Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D. in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.