Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Will the unit's staff call the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Sean Power, during the campaign to inform him they are talking about him in Wexford and he needs to issue a press release about that? Will the unit be closed during the general election?

The Taoiseach has always made the point that the unit saves Departments approximately €200,000 annually, yet its projected cost for 2006 is €352,626. The Taoiseach is spending €350,000 to save €200,000. There are many examples showing financial management to be a weakness in some Departments, so how does he justify this, if it is merely a floating information service? Will the communications unit be closed during the forthcoming election so people can see there is no political element to it? Cost is another issue with savings of €200,000 contrasting with costs of €350,000.

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