Written answers

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Ministerial Staff

5:00 pm

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of advisers in his Department; the number of high level appointees to committees annually since 2009; the amount that each receives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4653/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department has a number of civil service staff whose primary function is to provide it with specialist advice in areas such as engineering, sustainability and legal services. I assume, however, that the question refers to non-civil service staff appointed as advisors to Ministers. Three such advisors have been appointed to support me in my role as Minister: a press advisor at €80,051 per annum, a Special Advisor at €105,837 and a Policy Advisor (in lieu of a Personal Assistant) at €48,520.

While it is unclear what is meant by the Deputy's reference to high level committee appointees, there have been some such appointments to committees under the aegis of the Department since 2009 as set out below.

Ms Julie O'Neill was appointed as Chairperson of the High Level Steering Group on the proposed NRA/RPA Merger in May 2010 for a fee of €9, 950 for 16 days work plus a further €622 per diem rate payable for a maximum of 3 further days.

The Tourism Renewal Implementation Group was set up in 2010 but has since ceased to operate. There were no fees paid to any of the members who were as follows:

Ms. Mary Hanafin, Chairperson and then Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport

Mr Tony Kelly, Marketing Director, Irish Ferries

Ms Fiona O'Sullivan, Director, Custom Ireland

Mr John Raferty, Downhill Inn Hotel, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Mr Ed Ronayne, Ronayne Catering Ltd

Mr Eamonn McKeon, Chief Executive, Irish Tourist Industry Confederation

Mr Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland

Mr Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland

Mr Paul Bates, an Assistant Secretary of my Department.

The London 2012 Olympics Coordinating Group was established in November 2009. No fees are paid to any of the members who are as follows:

Mr Michael Ring, T.D.Chair and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport

Mr Eugene Downes, Culture Ireland

Mr Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland

Mr Liam Harbison, Paralympics Ireland

Ms Orlaith McBride, Arts Council

Mr Donagh Morgan, an Assistant Secretary of my Department

Mr Niall O Donnchu, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Ms Louise Kelly, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Mr Aidan Pender, Failte Ireland

Mr John Treacy, Irish Sports Council

Mr Gerry Wrynn, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

The Taxi Regulation Review Steering Group was established in June 2011. No fees are paid to any of the members who are as follows:

Minister of State Mr. Alan Kelly T.D., Chairman

Mr Pat Byrne, Vice-Chairman (currently Chairman of Taxi Advisory Committee)

Mr John Murphy, a former Assistant Secretary of my Department, replaced by

Mr Dermot McCarthy, an Assistant Secretary of my Department

Ms Kathleen Doyle, Director of Taxi Regulation, National Transport Authority

Mr Hugh Creegan, Director of Transport Planning & Investment, National Transport Authority

Mr Brendan Callaghan, Principal Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Mr John Evans, Manager, Monopolies Division, The Competition Authority

Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, National Traffic Corps, An Garda Síochána

Superintendent Declan Brogan, Carriage Office, An Garda Síochána

Superintendent Con O'Donohue, Garda National Traffic Bureau, An Garda Síochána (replacement for Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre)

Mr Philip Cox, Principal Officer, Special Investigation Unit, Department of Social Protection

Mr Derek McGovern, taxi dispatch operator

Mr Christy Humphreys, member of the Joint Taxi Council

Mr Kevin Finn, taxi driver

Mr John Keane, Taxi Alliance of Ireland

Mr James Doorley, former Chair of Consumer Association of Ireland and Director of National Youth Council

Mr Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link

Ms Siobhán Barron, Director, National Disability Authority

Ms Renee Dempsey, Chief Executive, Equality Authority

Mr Tim O'Sullivan, Executive Manager, Roads & Traffic Department, Dublin City Council

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