223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54588/26]

I can confirm to the Deputy the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across my Department, in Ireland and abroad, is zero.