Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The material is purely a synopsis of the headlines of the day. The unit does not count the number of articles or give any reflections. Its role is straightforward. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission could take up the matter if it wished. However, the service is already provided to the political system, in large measure through the party leaders funds. Any information gathered in Departments about working issues is not circulated and the information in question falls within this category. There is no other reason for not circulating it. Regular freedom of information requests show that the sheets are no more than a few pages providing a synopsis of the day's events at hourly intervals.

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