Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The guidelines given to the Secretary General of Government and Government secretariat relate to the examination of certain procurements. As such, there is no committee overseeing the awarding of public relations contracts by Ministers. The matter is dealt with by the secretariat. I do not have available the figures requested by the Deputy.

In July 2008, the Minister for Finance sought a reduction of 50% in consultancy expenditure and, in February 2009, brought in an additional requirement for a further €25 million reduction in expenditure and advertising in respect of public relations and consultancy contracts.

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