Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Health 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. [39392/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Dr. Sean Faughnan worked in the office of the Leader of the Opposition from late 2008, prior to becoming my Special Adviser in 2011. My Press Adviser, Mr Mark Costigan, deals with a wide range of press enquires from both the national and local media and from the specialised health publications sector. He also works closely with the my Department in arranging the output of information on health issues. To that end he is in constant contact with the Health Service Executive and a range of other bodies regarding developments in the delivery of health care. He is in regular contact with government ministers and backbenchers to provide information related to matters under coverage by the media and to answer their questions. The enquiries from the media which relate to health are sometimes political in nature and require a response which take that into account. He has never been a member of a political party and has never stood for election.

Dr. Maev-Ann Wren is an expert in health economics and is working as an Adviser to Minister Róisín Shortall on a part-time basis. Dr. Wren is not currently, nor has ever been, a member of any political party. She has never been elected to any local authority.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Health 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 reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser from the time they were appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39409/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Special Advisers is set out in the following tabular format.