Former government press secretary defends hiring of journalists

Former government press secretary Feargal Purcell says ministers need a variety of skills around them, not just former journalists

Edelman director of public affairs Feargal Purcell. Pic: Fergal Phillips

Former government press secretary Feargal Purcell has defended the government’s practice ofhiring journalists as advisors, but he warned that ministers must surround themselves with other skills also.

The Fine Gael government has hired six journalists as government advisers in the last year alone.

Purcell, who now worksas director of public affairs at communications firm Edelman, said that it happens to be Fine Gael hiring journalists this time. but historically there is a tradition ...