Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since the budget, on a number of occasions, the Taoiseach has indicated he is being very reasonable and that he thinks €6 million going on staff and marketing in the new communications unit is okay. I think it is actually quite extraordinary growth, given the Taoiseach mentioned 11 people have been employed in the unit in double quick time. I remember Deputy Stephen Donnelly asking questions about Brexit personnel being increased in various agencies and it took over a year to get two or three extra people into various Brexit agencies. Given the strategic communications unit has been ramped up very quickly, with 11 people working there, if we look at the departmental element of the Taoiseach's Vote, one thing stands out, namely, about one fifth of the total budget is now spent on marketing campaigns. It is quite unusual across the democratic world that the Prime Minister's office - in this case, the Taoiseach's office - would have such a personal budget weighted to marketing. I am unclear as to its direction or the necessity for it.

Last week we were told the children's hospitals would be the focus of a marketing strategy from the strategic communications unit. However, the lack of scoliosis operations will not be focus of that unit. I know the Taoiseach has said we need more good news and that it is designed to counterbalance the independent media, which he believes is too negative. He spoke here some weeks ago and said there is too much negativity in the general independent media. I looked at last night's programme on disability services and I can bet my bottom dollar that will not feature in the work of the strategic communications unit.

I am very uncomfortable with the blurring of the lines between what was traditionally known as Government information and political campaigning. I believe the strategic communications unit, notwithstanding people's best intentions, runs the very real risk of blurring those lines and that we will end up with political campaigns around issues that Government politicians will want to use to promote themselves, as opposed to giving basic information to the public.

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