Green Minister Pippa Hackett is hiring the son of her retiring Special Adviser to the lucrative role.
Caroline Murphy is retiring at the end of next month and her son, Declan O’Rourke, is stepping into her shoes as one of Ms Hackett’s two Special Advisers in March.
The position comes with a juicy salary starting at €91,000 a year.
Mr O’Rourke is a solicitor with big law firm, McCann Fitzgerald, and is also the son of famous broadcaster, Seán O’Rourke, who Ms Murphy is married to.
A Department of Agriculture spokeswoman also told the Irish Mirror that Declan O’Rourke has “been a member of the Green Party for a number of years.”
It has been known around Leinster House that Ms Hackett has been looking for a new special adviser since well before Christmas.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture confirmed the appointment to the Irish Mirror.
She said: “Minister Pippa Hackett has recently appointed two new special advisors to replace those who had been working with her.
“Stiofan Nutty resigned at the end of October for personal reasons and Caroline Murphy is retiring at the end of February.
“Minister Hackett publicly called for expressions of interest in both roles before Christmas.
“Jack O'Donnell will take up the role of Media Advisor next Monday and Declan O'Rourke will take up the role of Policy Advisor in March.
“The salaries are as is normal for such positions, paid at the equivalent of Principal Officer in the Civil Service.”
The salary range for a Principal Officer is €90,702 to €120,382.
The job lasts as long as the minister lasts.
The spokeswoman added: “The roles are not permanent.
“Such appointments are always made personally by Ministers and cease automatically at the end of a Minister's term of office.
“Mr O'Donnell worked previously in such roles for former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and also for former Minister Eoghan Murphy.
“Mr O'Rourke is a practicing solicitor and has been a member of the Green Party for a number of years.
“Mr O'Rourke's parents are Caroline Murphy and Sean O'Rourke.”
