Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I did not question the necessity for programme managers and advisers. I accept that is necessary and that the Government has to have independent advice. What I am questioning is the numbers and from where the salaries came. It is not the case that programme managers were always paid the same salary as a Secretary General of a Department. I want to ask the Taoiseach two questions. First, when was the decision made to link the salary of a programme manager to that of a Secretary General of a Department? Second, given that it was not the case that special advisers were always paid the same as a deputy Secretary General of a Department, will the Taoiseach indicate when that decision was taken and how long have those two posts been linked to the two most senior posts in the Civil Service structure?

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