Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of political advisors employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35876/12]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of political advisors employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

I appointed two Special Advisors in 2011. Three Special Advisors were appointed by my predecessors during the period in question , one in 2007 and two in 2008.