Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Has the Taoiseach reconsidered recasting this unit as a strategic advice unit in the context of the debacle about the questions asked by my colleague, Deputy Alan Kelly, to which he failed to get answers? The simplest and most required form of communication from the Taoiseach is that he and his Government answer the questions that are properly asked of them. This is the essential function of Parliament. I was very concerned to hear some information given about costs, which are being met within the budget of the unit, in respect of sponsoring posts on social media. In my view, and I think in the view of most people, this is political. The Taoiseach is the Taoiseach of the country, and as such he is the head of the Government, but he is also a political leader. As we know, until yesterday or the day before yesterday, he appeared, unless it was misquoted or miscommunicated, to be heavily in favour of an early general election.

He acted and presented accordingly. This work on posting on social media along with party political messages, including those by office holders who are members of different parties or of none when they are in Government, has always been regarded as political, and rightly so. It is political. The Taoiseach is accountable to the Dáil because he was elected Taoiseach by virtue of the support he commands in the House, which is political.

Will the Taoiseach reconsider the propriety of this? The State funds political parties to put forward their political messages. The Taoiseach has strayed into new territory and reach as no other Taoiseach has done. It is dangerous territory. If this is to be done, it should be done entirely in the context of it being open to every Member and political party in the House. It also should be done through the political funding that is given by the Government to political parties and voted on in this House. That is the right and proper way of doing it. I have asked the Taoiseach this question previously. Obviously, he now has more experience of how communications can work, but also of how communications can be difficult and end in extremely destructive outcomes for this country at a time when Brexit is taking place and when we must put our best foot forward.

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