Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together.

In employing special advisers, my Department complies with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, which lay down the terms and conditions of employment of special advisers.

Under these Acts and on foot of Government orders, advisers are appointed to unestablished or temporary positions. Furthermore, the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 apply to the appointment of special advisers and among other stipulations, it requires that they must leave office when the officeholder, to whom they are acting, ceases to hold office. There has been no increase in the number of special advisers who assist me in dealing with the complexities and volume in Government business. There has actually been a decrease of two.

Press officers are appointed to my Department through open competition advertised throughout the Civil Service. The Government press secretary and assistant Government press secretaries are appointed under the Department of Finance instructions relating to the appointment of ministerial private office staff. The guidelines advise on a range of issues, including terms and conditions of contracts, the need for specific sanction of appointments and the requirement for exclusion orders. These officers are appointed to their posts on the basis of their media backgrounds and expert knowledge.

Likewise, in the employment of personal assistants and personal secretaries, my Department abides by the procedures laid out in the guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and we comply fully with the requirements of the guidelines by following all due process in their recruitment.

Since the general election, four new political staff have been appointed to my Department. They are the Government press secretary, a deputy Government press secretary and a special adviser to the Government Chief Whip. The Green Party programme manager based in Government Buildings is not a member of staff in my Department but my Department has engaged a personal assistant to provide administrative assistance to him and the new deputy Government press secretary.

Under the direction of the programme manager, the primary function of the special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government.

They are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, administrative and media matters and performing such other functions as may be directed by me from time to time.

Each of the advisers liaises with a number of Departments and acts as a point of contact in my Department for Ministers and their advisers. My advisers attend meetings of Cabinet committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to their responsibilities. They also liaise, on my behalf, with organisations and interest groups outside of Government.

Advisers assigned to the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State provide advice to the Minister of State and monitor, facilitate and secure the achievement of Government objectives and relate to the Department of the Taoiseach as requested by the Minister of State.

My programme manager meets with other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis and monitors and reports to me on progress in implementing the programme for Government. On the recommendation of the Attorney General, Mr. Paul Gallagher, I appointed Mr. Francis Kieran as special assistant to the Attorney General to liaise between the Attorney General and me, and other Departments, on issues relevant to the programme for Government as well as to keep the Attorney General informed on items arising in the Oireachtas or the media which could impinge on, or be relevant to, his role. The position of Attorney General is not a political one and Mr. Kieran does not provide political advice.

I comply fully with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 and annually lay the statements of interests, qualifications and relationship before the Houses of the Oireachtas on behalf of advisers, the Government press secretary, deputy Government press secretaries, personal secretaries and personal assistants, as required. Each individual sends his or her return to the Standards in Public Office Commission in accordance with that legislation.

Last year two such returns were made in accordance with the ethics legislation, one for the calendar year 2006 and one following the general election. A further return was made last month covering the period from the general election to the end of 2007.

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