Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

No, it provides information across Departments. As a former incumbent in an office of State, the Deputy is aware that the press office deals with most of the requirements of any Department. There are occasions when people require outside communications companies to assist them. Personally, I have not used such companies much, but arrangements have been made in the past when there was a need to communicate public information or to ensure that initiatives were brought to the public's attention. In some instances, it was a case of organising campaigns to make sure people were aware of their entitlements. All this work is done internally, in the main, but on some occasions outside help is required and obtained. It was in respect of that aspect of public relations that the Minister for Finance was referring.

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