Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The advisers are focused on individual areas. They do not duplicate effort and are designated to individual Departments because that is the sensible way to do things. Some work on foreign affairs issues, on Northern Ireland issues or on health or education issues and they liaise with people in those Departments. The Deputy's view is that some of these areas are not well run. I am glad to see, however, that the IMF stated today that the country is doing well because of the success of Government policies. The Deputy obviously disagrees, but he is entitled to that view.

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