AN "OMNIBUS" Government agency using in-house press advisers rather than contracted staff in each department might not provide the service required for the savings achieved, according to Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny had suggested that to achieve cutbacks a Government press relations agency could deal with the promotion of the work of all Ministers, rather than each Minister having their own separate press officer. Mr Kenny said there was "an army of press officers throughout the entire Government sector" and he was sure this would "implement a considerable saving as opposed to individual public relations contracts being allocated to each Minister".

"Cut out the spin doctors," said Padraic McCormack (FG, Galway West). But Mr Cowen said that many career civil servants served as press officers. "Not all of them are brought in but some are, and it is a matter of preference for Ministers who may have built up a relationship with people in this area over time and who particularly suit their way of working."

Many departments required a certain expertise and "the Department of Finance would be very different in terms of the needs of media and others compared to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism or another department".

The Taoiseach, who said during Question Time that a 50 per cent cut had been introduced in this area, pointed out that there were many people who worked either in a primary or supplementary position around the press officer "and without whom the efficiency and efficacy would be compromised. Taking account of all that in terms of achieving savings, would one get the service required? It could be argued that we would not. There are some specialist areas that require a specialist knowledge and an ability to come back with information quickly to people".

Later Mr Kenny called for the provision of an Oireachtas television channel that would cover Dáil, Seanad and committee work as a "public service".