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LABOUR LEADER BRENDAN Howlin TD has written to the Standards in Public Office Commission over the Taoiseach’s new Strategic Communications Unit (SCU).
The new unit is under the Department of the Taoiseach and will cost €5 million next year but has been criticised by opposition politicians as a “spin unit”.
It’s planned that the new unit will work in tandem with the existing Government Information Service but Howlin has now raised concerns that it may be used inappropriately.
In Tuesday’s Budget, the SCU’s €5 million-a-year pricetag was revealed and it the document said that it would “streamline communications” along all government departments.
The Government Information Service is staffed by civil servants but questions have been raised about how appointments have been made to the SCU.
In the Dáil yesterday, Varadkar said that he had “appointed” John Concannon to the SCU, before correcting himself and saying that he merely asked him was he available.
“I discussed it with the Secretary General obviously before I appointed him – or before I asked if he would be available to be appointed,” Varadkar said during Leaders’ Questions.
Concannon was previously behind the marketing strategy for campaigns such as the Wild Atlantic Way and The Gathering
Within the SCU, Concannon works at the assistant secretary grade which commands a salary of between €122,313 and €139,728.
In Howlin’s letter to SIPO, the Labour leader makes reference to videos and images of Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe that were released on Budget day.
“These advertisements contained only images of the Taoiseach and the Minister of Finance – both Fine Gael ministers and were observed with significant frequency on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube during the course of yesterday,” Howlin says.
This sort of advertising could reasonably be construed as an inappropriate raising of the profiles of office holders.
In a statement today, Howlin said he is seeking clarification on whether this advertising amounts to “an improper use of public funds for political ends”.
“And secondly, whether the staff recruited to serve in the Strategic Communications Unit have been appropriately recruited under the Public Service Management Act,” the Labour leader said.
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No comments permitted on Damien English story. Has Journal been taken over by the Russian or Chinese
@John McCann: My thoughts exactly. I think the journal gone a tad something or other. One can try email the journalist, but never a reply.
@John McCann: there were comments earlier, but you know how it goes, god forbid anyone has opinions to share
@John McCann: it’s a joke. Total censorship.
@Brian Madden: The reason for that is because our politicians genuinely and totally believe they are doing a great job. They hire advisors who are paid to tell them they are brilliant at their jobs. Those notions have to be protected at all costs and the media help maintain that situation.
I always remember Enda Kenny’s facial expressions when he was questioned outside of the “bubble” before he retired. The look of pure and utter horror when his performance as a political leader was questioned. Like I said, they genuinely believe they are doing really really good jobs in their roles.
@John McCann: Long ago!!
What next, Bertie Ahern on the Dail Ethics Committee?
@John McCann: you joke, but…
Are they having a flocking laugh…
Makes as much sense as appointing Jeff Donaldson as this year’s grand marshall for the NYC Paddy’s Day parade.
BIZARRE!
What a joke.
And they wonder why the general public don’t take these conferences seriously? Why should we when nepotism like this is on display.
This is up there with having Saudi on the Women’s Rights Committee…..
How utterly ridiculous.
We are globally corrupt
“evil” is winning and we are going backwards as a society in many ways
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
A bit like putting Iran on the UN Commission for Women’s Rights, the mind boggles. As the song goes “money talks”.
I’m sure personally, he’s a very honorable and intelligent gentleman who will carry out his duties to the best if his abilities. I wish him all the best.
“Lisa: Dad, I think he’s an ivory dealer! His boots are ivory, his hat is ivory, and I’m pretty sure that check is ivory.
Homer: Lisa, a guy who’s got lots of ivory is less likely to hurt Stampy than a guy whose ivory supplies are low.”
have your say