€6m-a-year advisers defended by Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday defended the employment of special and press advisers by the Government at a cost of €6 million a year.

The cost of employing special advisers, political staff and press officers by the Taoiseach and ministers was criticised by the opposition this weekend.

Figures released by the Government showed that the Taoiseach’s programme manager, Gerry Hickey, is the highest-paid adviser, with an annual salary of €192,784, which is higher than Mr Ahern’s own salary.

Yesterday the Taoiseach defended the system by saying the number of advisers employed by the Government since 1997 is only half that employed by the Rainbow Coalition between 1994 and 1997.

“I made the decision in 1997 to have far less advisers,” he said.

“I did away with the programme managers system. We now just have two programme managers. Previously, every minister had one. There are now about half the advisers there were for previous governments.”

Mr Ahern also dismissed the contention that the salaries were exorbitant, saying that advisers were generally paid at civil service rates. “As civil service rates go up, they generally get the same salary,” he said.

“Most of the advisers we have are civil servants. In the previous government, of the 55 (advisers), one was a civil servant,” he said.

He completely rejected the claim that they were spin doctors for FF and the PDs, saying that many dealt with issues and had no contact with the media.

Mr Ahern also denied that there were splits in the Cabinet over the proposed second terminal at Dublin Airport.

“The position is we are trying to do the best things for the future of Dublin Airport. We are going through the consideration of what is the best thing for the public, management and staff.”

However, Mr Ahern would not be drawn on how long the process will take.

It became clear last night that the issue will not be discussed at Cabinet today, as the Tánaiste Mary Harney will not be at the meeting. She is opening two facilities for the medical company Abbot in Longford and Sligo.

When asked if the Tánaiste was correct in criticising Transport Minister Martin Cullen for having “spoken out of turn” about Dublin Airport last week, Mr Ahern said: “the Tánaiste said what I said last week.

“When the Government comes to a decision, it will come to its decision.”