Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

One would expect policy advisers to be able to advise on policy, whether it is Government policy or suggestions from other parts of the House or other parts of society about issues under the remit of the Minister concerned. These are independent of and specifically different from the normal Civil Service advice which is given regardless of political affiliation in any case and which is a departmental view. Special advisers have a remit to do what perhaps the Civil Service cannot do. I do not see any difficulty with the Minister being briefed on aspects of any proposal which may have merit or those which perhaps do not withstand scrutiny. This is a normal part of democratic debate and policy formulation at all times.

See this speech in context