Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Taoiseach the names, titles, duties and dates of appointment of each of the special advisers, political advisers, personal assistants and press officers appointed by him; the salary level of each appointee including payments in lieu of pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the direction of the Programme Manager, the primary function of the Special Advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective coordination in the implementation of the Programme for Government. They are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, administrative and media matters and performing such other functions as may be directed by me, from time to time.

Each of the Advisers liaises with a number of Departments and acts as a point of contact in my Office for Ministers and their Advisers. My Advisers attend meetings of Cabinet Committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to their responsibilities. They also liaise, on my behalf, with organisations and interest groups outside of Government. One Adviser, assigned to the Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, provides advice to the Minister of State and is monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievements of Government objectives that relate to the Department of the Taoiseach, as requested by the Minister of State.

In addition, a number of my Advisers have specific responsibilities in relation to speech drafting. My Programme Manager meets other Ministerial Advisers on a weekly basis. He monitors and reports to me on progress in implementing the Programme for Government.

The Government Press Secretary, together with the Press Officers, provide an information service on Government policy to the public through the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government, together with promoting a co-ordinated approach to media matters across all Government Departments.

The central task of the Deputy Government Press Secretary/Head of Government Information Services (G.I.S.) is to assist the Government Press Secretary in communicating to the media the decisions of Government.

The Personal Assistants in my Department have a range of duties including providing administrative assistance in my Private and Constituency Offices, Protocol Division and Government Chief Whip's Office. One Personal Assistant (who is also based in my Department) is assigned to assist and provide administrative assistance to both the Programme Manager to the Tánaiste and the Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of Government Information Services.

The following table outlines salary details and dates of appointment for the Special and Political Advisers, Personal Assistants and Press Officers currently working in my Department.