Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is because there are precedents that I am raising the issue. I am well aware of the precedents. There is also a precedent for the number of Ministers of State appointed. We need to know not only the structure and rationale for any of the appointments or expansions but also the cost, because the taxpayer is picking up the bill.

It is also important to state that there is one Taoiseach in office. I am correct in understanding that. I suggest to the Taoiseach that it is not great for our system of government if there is any real or perceived rivalry from the get-go. I am at a loss to know why the Tánaiste needs an aide-de-camp. I am aware that others are at a loss also. The general public - the people we serve - look on and ask legitimate questions about how we are spending their money. I am unclear, having heard the Taoiseach's response, why somebody in ministerial office, for arguments sake, let us take the leader of the Green Party, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has a big job to do and an extensive portfolio, might need additional resources and staff. An additional office is to be provided for the Minister. The Department of the Taoiseach will have a department of the Tánaiste within it. What will the other office be? Will it be the office of the leader of the Green Party? We just need to know what it looks like and, critically, the cost.

My final point, to which the Taoiseach may not get a chance to respond, is on citizens' assemblies. They are very effective mechanisms and involve deliberative processes and absolutely powerful stuff. The Taoiseach has committed to assemblies on biodiversity, matters relating to drug use, the future of education and, later, an elected mayor and local government structures best suited to Dublin. There is, however, no additional money in the Estimates for any of these. Are we to take it as read that the single Citizens' Assembly on gender equality is the only one that will be up and running between now and the end of the year?

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