Raft of special advisers hired by new ministers to media-manage their image

A raft of special advisers are being drafted in by new ministers to stave off attack from opposition TDs and to media-manage their images.

Newly appointed Fine Gael and Independent ministers are now assembling teams of background staff, press advisers and special advisers to help ease them into the job and avoid any embarrassing political blunders.

Finian McGrath, Shane Ross, Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, Simon Harris, Michael Creed, Katherine Zappone, and Denis Naughten will all be hiring a new team to work closely with them.