Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

They apply to existing and new Ministers — and will forever, I hope. I have implemented the recommendations Mr. Quigley made regarding my Department. He also made recommendations about other Departments which I hope have also been implemented. They have certainly been given to the other Departments to implement.

The guidelines apply in particular, as Mr. Quigley asked and recommended, in the area of public relations and communications, where there is a significant element of direct service to a Minister or where a Minister suggests the name of a person or enterprise for a consultancy or contract. It was in these circumstances, in particular, that Mr. Quigley highlighted the need for a different procedure. In these circumstances the Secretary General of the relevant Department is required to inform the Secretary General to the Government who will arrange, if necessary, for the Government secretariat to inquire about any aspects of the proposed procurement that it considers necessary. Arising from this, the Secretary General will then make recommendations to me as to whether any special conditions should be observed in the procurement process. This means an issue can no longer be processed without first being highlighted and examined. If necessary, recommendations will be made. This process by itself should, I hope, diminish the numbers.

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