Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Why is it necessary to second staff from other Departments? Which Departments are involved? I was not aware that staff from other Departments were seconded to the communications unit.

From statements made by the Taoiseach's predecessor on several occasions, my understanding of this unit was that individual Departments were obliged to take cuttings of newspapers and news items relevant to each Department and Minister, for example, the Ministers for Transport or Education and Science. For example, I understood the latter Department not to have a paper cutting service to supply the Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, every morning because the communications unit in the Department of the Taoiseach was to do all of that. Last year I asked this question because it was evident what was going on. Is it still the case this service is provided in the communications unit and there are no paper-cutting services in other Departments?

See this speech in context