Taoiseach defends €1m cost of advisors

09/03/2010 - 15:52:40
The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has defended the €1m wage bill paid to seven of his political advisors.

Mr Cowen has told the Dáil that his highest paid advisor is the economist Peter Clinch who earns almost €200,000 per year.

Sinn Féin has criticised the cost and number of advisors in the Taoiseach's department - seven of whom get paid a total of €972,000 a year for providing advice directly to Brian Cowen.

But in the Dáil the Taoiseach said the amount was "not excessive".