Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently three special advisors* engaged by my Department. The roles and functions carried out by the special advisors are as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am satisfied that the special advisors contribute to the effectiveness of the work of my Department in a manner and to an extent that fully justifies the associated costs. A total of seven special advisors (including press advisors) have been engaged by my Department during the period in question. Their names and travel and subsistence expenses claimed are detailed in the following table..

Special advisors do not have personal entertainment allowances, although an advisor who undertakes official entertainment in the course of their duties is entitled to reimbursement. Such expenditure by Mr. Jerry O'Connor, who in his capacity as media advisor would be expected to engage in intensive networking and contact building activities, amounted to €3,382 for part of 2008, €2,829 in 2009 and €1,265 to-date in 2010. In the time available, it has not been possible to collate entertainment expenditure records for Mr. Richard Moore, who served in a similar role with my predecessor during the period prior to May 2008.