Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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76. To ask the Taoiseach if he has made his Government advisors and programme managers available to Opposition Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. [38664/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have three Special Advisers, one of whom is my Chief of Staff, who assist me, as appropriate, by providing advice; monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives; and performing such other functions as may be directed by me. The Public Service Management Act 1997 provides for the appointment of Special Advisors to Government Ministers. I understand that resources for the employment of support staff for opposition parties is provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.

While not Special Advisers, I have also appointed a Chief Strategist for the Independent Alliance, who acts as a liaison between the Independent Alliance and their partners in Government and a Political Coordinator for Independent Ministers Naughten and Zappone who, acts as a liaison between those Independent Ministers and their partners in Government and ensures effective communications between those Independent Ministers and all members of the Oireachtas on policy and political issues.