Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In a time when the Taoiseach and his colleagues are constantly urging belt-tightening, does he believe it would be appropriate to undertake a review of the number of advisers in his Department? Their numbers are over and above the existing staffing complement of the Department. Does he believe it would be appropriate to review the excessive salaries paid to them that range between three to seven times the average industrial wage? How does the Taoiseach justify the maintenance of such a large number of advisers and these salaries when punitive levies are being applied to others in the public service which are having a serious impact on low to middle-income earners? This will lead to an ever-unfolding and deepening crisis in industrial relations within the Civil Service.

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