Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

Under the direction of my programme manager, Mr. Joe Lennon, the primary function of my special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government. The role and duties of special advisers are described in section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis. He monitors and reports to me on progress in implementing the programme for Government. Each of my advisers liaises with a number of Departments and acts as a point of contact in my office for Ministers and their advisers. They attend meetings of Cabinet committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to their responsibilities. They also liaise, on my behalf, with organisations and interest groups outside of the Government. Special advisers are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, environmental, administrative and media matters and performing such other functions as may be directed by me from time to time. A number of my advisers have specific responsibilities relating to speech drafting.

During 2010 there have been a number of changes in personnel among my special advisers. Mr. Declan Ryan is no longer special adviser in the Department of the Taoiseach. Ms Deirdre Gillane was appointed as my special adviser on 31 May 2010. She is tasked with supporting the programme manager in co-ordinating the implementation of the programme for Government by liaising with a number of Departments. The role involves attending meetings of Cabinet committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to the programme.

In addition, in view of the coterminous nature of special adviser appointments with the terms of office of Ministers, it was necessary to re-appoint Mr. Padraig Slyne as a special adviser following the change in Government Chief Whip earlier this year. The net result of these changes is that I now have six special advisers, which is one fewer than at the start of this year.

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