The new position of law agent to act as legal adviser to the Houses of the Oireachtas has been filled, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee said yesterday.
Mr Jim Mitchell said the post had always been visualised as equivalent to the Attorney General, but he sensed a pulling back on that status.
The committee was told the new law agent would be starting in two or three weeks on a salary of £42,000 a year, the equivalent grade to a senior principal officer. Assistant secretaries of government departments received £53,000 to start.
"It seems we are taking two steps forward and one step back. I always envisaged the post as the equivalent to the AG, to advise parliament and having a proper role in calling to account government agencies," he said.
Mr John Hurley, secretary-general of Department of Finance, said: "There is no view or intent to downgrade the post."
Mr Mitchell said: "I sense a pulling back on the status because of the grade, and I'm dissatisfied with that."
The PAC had recommended that the Oireachtas law agent act as a legal adviser to both Houses, give advice to Oireachtas committees and represent the Houses in any legal matter.
Mr Brian Andrews, chief executive officer of the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners, said a candidate had been chosen and would start within the next few weeks.
The criteria were a qualification as a barrister or solicitor, to be able to do research and have communication skills.
"The salary is a little over £42,000," he said.
Asked if the law agent could give advice to individual members of the Oireachtas, Mr Andrews said the position as determined did not extend to that.
The officer would do research and provide legal advice on services to the Ceann Comhairle and the committee chairmen and advise on conduct on any legal proceedings involving the Oireachtas. Advice would be directly to the committees.
Mr Sean Doherty TD (FF) said: "This differs vastly from what I thought the job would be."
Mr Tom Considine, assistant secretary at the Department of Finance, said the starting salaries for senior principal officers were £39,000 to £41,691. It could then rise to around £49,000.
Asked who the appointed person was, Mr Andrews said he would not like to say as the person was in negotiations with the Ceann Comhairle.