Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Can the Taoiseach elaborate on how many people work in the communications unit? Could he say exactly what they do in terms of keeping the Government informed as regards what is going on in the media? Is it the case that every Minister gets a file of coverage from the main newspapers every day in regard to his or her activities and that of the Government, and what exactly do they do?

With regard to the press arrangements to which the Taoiseach referred surrounding the visit of the Queen of England, how will the fact that we are spending a fortune in entertainment for a visit by the relic of a feudal monarchy, which is long past its "sell by" date, sit with the citizens of this State, which is supposed to be a republic?

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