Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the number of cases referred to the Government secretariat, eight cases that came within the guidelines have been processed. Since September 2008 I agreed to the appointment by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of a consultant to conduct a facilitation exercise in connection with the consultation paper on next generation broadband. In 2007 one case was noted by my predecessor following consideration by the Secretary General to the Government regarding an invitation to tender for consultancy work by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I understand that the candidate concerned was not subsequently in the tender competition. There were two cases related to the appointment of an arts adviser at the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. My predecessor approved one of those appointments in 2005, following appropriate prior consideration by the Secretary General to the Government. On the resignation of the original post holder my predecessor approved the appointment of a successor to the post in 2006. The four other cases referred to the Secretary General to the Government were, on consideration by him, found not to fall within the scope of the guidelines and so did not require consideration or approval. These related to the appointment of IT and communications consultants.

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