Will the Leader state the Government's position and policy on advertising vacancies in Departments and State agencies? There is an unbelievable situation. Last week I raised the issue of the appointment by the Tánaiste of his fourth special adviser at a cost of more than €80,000 a year, bringing to more than €500,000 a year the total cost of his special advisers. The most recent appointee is a media adviser. We find out with great interest today that the Tánaiste’s wife who will cease working in the VEC when it is disbanded has been given a position, starting from next year, with his Labour Party colleague-----

That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

It is relevant and I will tell you why.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Following the Order of Business we will debate the Action Plan for Jobs. I wish to know what the Government's position is on advertising vacancies. Is it aware that there are nearly 450,000 people out of work?

Each individual is entitled-----

I did not mention the individual’s name.

The Senator identified an individual.

Is the Senator uncomfortable with this?

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I do, if I am allowed to ask it. What is the Government’s policy on advertising job vacancies within the public and Civil Service? Is it Government policy to appoint an individual without there being any public advertising of the job and an individual to a position in the Department of a Labour Party colleague? Furthermore, will the Leader confirm that the Minister for Education and Skills knew nothing about the issue and that neither did the Tánaiste whose wife has been appointed as a special policy adviser from January to work with the Minister for Education and Skills?

That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Why is it irrelevant?

It is utterly irrelevant.

I will not even talk about the Attorney General's office.

On a point of order, the individual involved is entitled to have a career in her own right.

Senator Bacik should resume her seat. Does Senator Darragh O'Brien have a question for the Leader?

I have asked the Leader to confirm the Government's position on advertising posts publicly. Is it the Government's position that vacancies should be advertised? If it is the Government's policy to advertise vacancies in the civil and public service why, in this instance, did no advertising or interviews take place? Basically, a Labour Party crony has been appointed to a €90,000 a year job to work with a colleague of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the relevant Department.

Rubbish.

That is completely out of order.

It is not out of order.

On a point of order, the Senator is making outrageous comments about somebody who is not here and who is not a public representative.

Excuse me, through the Chair-----

I have no problem with the general thrust of what Senator Darragh O'Brien is saying but naming individuals or alluding to them-----

I did not name the individual.

She can be clearly identified.

Okay.

I ask the Senator to refrain from naming or alluding to individuals.

For clarity's sake-----

The Senator is over time.

-----I have not impugned anyone's reputation, their experience or whatever, I am simply asking if it is the Government's policy to advertise vacancies in the civil and public service. If it is the Government's policy to do so, why, in this instance, did no advertising or interviews take place? Who decided to make an appointment without the job vacancy being advertised and an interview process being held? That is a relevant question and if Senator Bacik does not like it, that is tough.

I call Senator Bacik.

If the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade were in opposition and if something of this nature happened, he would occupy the highest moral ground in the country.

I am very disappointed with Senator Darragh O'Brien

Senator Darragh O'Brien is over time.

We need an answer to this question and if Senator Bacik is disappointed that is tough.

Jobs for the boys and girls.

I am very disappointed with Senator Darragh O'Brien. It is beneath him to make the sort of scurrilous allegations he has just made-----

It is not a scurrilous allegation, it is a fact.

-----about a professional public servant who is entitled to a career in her own right.

I did not mention her.

Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader?

The person in question has been redeployed. She has had a career in the public service for many years. The point being made here is really outrageous and scurrilous-----

Was the job advertised?

-----and has absolutely no relevance to the political debate.

Really.

I am quite happy to respond to political points but not those relating to the partners of politicians.

Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader?

Yes. My question to him is whether it is appropriate to make this sort of allegation or to repeat allegations made in newspapers in respect of a person who has a career in her own right.

It is not an allegation, it is a fact.

I have already ruled on this matter.

I never mentioned the individual by name.

The Senator identified her.

Senator Darragh O'Brien made it-----

Senator Moran should not be talking.

Senator Darragh O'Brien did not have to identify-----

On a point of order, how dare the Senator tell me not to talk?

That is not a point of order.

Senator Moran should resume her seat.

Apparently, not only are women not entitled to careers in their own right, according to Senator Darragh O'Brien they are also not entitled to make points of order in their own right.

This is the Order of Business. Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader?