Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

How is it decided whether PR work to be undertaken is to be given to the various press offices within each Department, the Government's own press department or to go to outside contract? Has the committee in question examined the criteria used to make that call in the first instance? If not, will there be an examination of the criteria? Is it the practice of the committee to vet proposals by Ministers for PR work to be contracted out? Does the committee vet the Minister's decision?

Have there been any further restrictions on PR contracts since the Government's announcement of cutbacks in July? The Taoiseach referred to cutbacks of 50%. Will he clarify whether there has been a 50% cutback in PR operations? Does the Taoiseach refer to PR contracts or the in-house department?

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