Creighton appoints former assistant as adviser

ANOTHER MINISTER of State has named a special adviser despite guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance indicating this should not happen, except in unusual circumstances.

Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton will appoint Stephen O’Shea as her full-time special adviser. He previously worked as her assistant in Leinster House.

This followed a Cabinet discussion during which it was agreed Ms Creighton could have a special adviser because of the workload associated with the Republic’s EU presidency in 2013.

Approval was also obtained for Minister of State Róisín Shortall to appoint former journalist and health policy author Maev-Ann Wren as an adviser in a part-time capacity, given Ms Shortall’s workload at the Department of Health with responsibility for primary care. The salaries will be in line with Civil Service assistant principle officer grade, €61,966-€72,268.

The original stance was outlined in a Department of Finance circular of March which indicated that Ministers of State would not be allowed to appoint advisers except in Government-approved exceptional circumstances.

The guidelines stated: “Ministers of State are not expected to appoint advisers but may, in exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of Government, appoint one.” A “specific need” must be identified in the exceptional circumstances, the guidelines say.

Media, press advisers and programme managers are considered special advisers for the purpose of the circular. Many special advisers are paid well above the recommended amount, however, with Government approval.

Elsewhere, Minister of State for Agriculture Shane McEntee has hired communications consultant Liam Cahill – who worked on the Rural Ireland Says Enough (Rise!) campaign – on a contract basis.

Mr Cahill provides “public relations services” to Mr McEntee and is described as a “temporary clerical assistant”.