Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The position on this has been clear for many years. The contracts for advisers always run to the formation of the next Government. They cease their duties on the night before a Government is appointed, if they are not reappointed, as happened in the last instance. If they involve themselves on a full-time basis in a campaign, they must take leave. They are not allowed to be working in the normal course of their jobs and be involved in other activities. They must use their own annual leave according to the guidelines that were set down even before the introduction of the Standards in Public Office Act.

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