Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of advisers and special advisers employed by his Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; the annual salaries associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6572/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I appointed four Special Advisers in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017.

- Mr. Matthew Lynch is my Special Adviser on Cabinet, Oireachtas and Leader’s Questions.

- Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Adviser and Communications Director.

- Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick was my Special Adviser and Political Director. She has recently concluded her role with the Department.

- Mr. Paul Fox is Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs

The Special Adviser to the Minister of State is on the Assistant Principal Officer salary scale. My Special Advisers are on the Principal Officer salary scale.

I did not appoint any further advisers in 2018 nor to date in 2019.

All appointments were made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil” which included “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Every appointment in my Department is subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.