Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach the cost of political advisers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach the cost in terms of salaries and expenses of political advisers or other political staff within his Department in respect of each year from 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

The information sought by the Deputies is contained in a schedule which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Travel and subsistence payments are made at the appropriate civil service rates in respect of certified official travel and subject to the usual Civil Service regulations.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I did not expect to hear about travel arrangements. Regarding the cost of political advisers, does the Taoiseach feel he is getting value for money? Should the type of adviser and the advice sought and given be examined? We have raised this issue previously, especially in regard to the responsibilities of Ministers of State, and Sustainable Energy Ireland raised related matters today. Regarding global heating, or climate change — there are many different terms now for the phenomenon — does the Government have an equivalent to the British Government's chief scientific adviser, Professor Sir David King? If so, will the Government act on the advice it will probably receive, given that we have re-coupled CO2 emissions with growing energy use and expect transport related energy to increase by over 8% every year for the foreseeable future? Is the Taoiseach receiving advice on climate change and is this advice coming from advisers or elsewhere?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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A science group gives Departments and agencies advice in that field. We regularly ask members of agencies to present a briefing to Cabinet committees and meetings. This is a day-to-day feature of Cabinet committees in particular. The science group addresses senior staff in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regularly.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I asked if there was an equivalent to the British Government's chief scientific adviser, Professor Sir David King, in the Irish context, and did not receive an answer. The Taoiseach said a group gives advice, but on the issue of carbon credit who advised that €270 million be given away to pay a fine?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This question refers specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I am trying to find out if an adviser exists. Apparently one does not, but a group fills this role. Will there be an adviser at that level? The Taoiseach will remember we had problems previously with a science adviser who did not have the proper qualifications.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I remind the Deputy we are referring specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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It is fundamentally the Taoiseach's responsibility.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, but not every Department comes under these questions.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the Deputy's specific question of whether we have advisers similar to those referred to in No. 10 or No. 11, where there are contract advisers for practically every area, we do not operate such a system.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I asked about one person.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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They have one person for everything, irrespective of the issue.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I would not say that about Professor David King.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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They also have a science adviser.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I thought the Government has a science adviser.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Allow the Taoiseach to answer.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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A science adviser works in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and we are working with that individual. A small group, the science committee, holds meetings which we attend to discuss issues including environmental issues. However, its members do not work in my Department but come from relevant Departments or, in many cases, relevant agencies. The Deputy is correct with regard to what happens in No. 10 but it would cost us a fortune to duplicate that in a country of 4.3 million people.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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My question was whether the Taoiseach listens to advice.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I always listen.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Does the Tánaiste have a programme manager and is that manager located in the Taoiseach's office, as was the practice under the previous Tánaiste? Has the Taoiseach's former press officer been replaced or, if not, is it intended to replace him? I am aware he is trying to do for the HSE the job he did so well for the Taoiseach.

With regard to the most recent indication by the Taoiseach that 13 staff are employed in his private office and eight in his constituency office, are those figures still correct and, if so, are they not somewhat extravagant? My colleague, Deputy Costello, has one parliamentary assistant, whereas the Taoiseach has an entire infrastructure.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Rabbitte's last question comes under Questions Nos. 10 and 11.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As usual, the Ceann Comhairle is ahead of me.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle is very sharp.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Taoiseach might therefore address my other questions.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste has a programme manager who is based in my Department.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Is it a State secret?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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No, his name is Mr. John O'Brien. He worked for the previous Tánaiste in a different capacity. My former Government press secretary is currently undertaking a different task and I do not intend to replace him. I share the work with the others.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Minister for Defence will give the Taoiseach a dig out if he needs it.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Why not?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In terms of numbers, we have a small staff of advisers, contract advisers and press officers compared to what previously obtained. This is probably the biggest area of cutbacks in the public service in recent years.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Taoiseach should not be too hard on himself.