Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Clear evidence exists with regard to these matters which was brought to the attention of the Minister and the Taoiseach by the leader of Fine Gael in recent days. It is clearly marked on the document released last week that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was involved in some way in drawing it up. It is for this reason and because the Minister engaged civil servants in political matters in the past that I brought this matter to his attention again. It is not acceptable to bring the Civil Service into the political arena. All sides of the House respect civil servants for the work they do as part of the permanent Government. Evidence suggested to us that the Minister again engaged civil servants in political activity.

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