€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.