Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the role and responsibilities of her special advisers, in particular their role in relation to briefing her on issues arising at meetings they attend on her behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9387/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The provisions for the appointment and role of special advisers are clearly set out in section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

In accordance with that Act, the special advisers in my Department are appointed, inter alia, to assist me in the discharge of my functions as Minister for Health and Children. They are also available to assist me in relation to my role in Government as Tánaiste. It is clear from the Public Service Management Act 1997 that special advisers are not part of the Civil Service line management.

My special advisers brief me on any issues that will come to me for decision arising out of any meetings they attend, whether in the civil service or elsewhere. They do so, not as an alternative to briefing on these issues by civil servants. This has been the practice in relation to special advisers over the life of many governments.