Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Defence the political activities of each special adviser, special press adviser, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so, which parties; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39387/11]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Defence the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister or Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser from the time he or she was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39404/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

In my role as Minister for Defence I have not engaged the services of any ministerial advisors. I have however engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines concerning ministerial appointments.