This idea was discussed on the radio today and to be fair to the examples they gave, the family members have been working with the politicians for many years in some cases.
So if, for example, your sister was working as your assistant for maybe 6yrs when you were a councillor, then you get elected to the Dail, why would you ditch them?
I would see the argument if these family members were only given the jobs since the election. That would not be acceptable.