Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total amount paid to a consultancy company (details supplied); the details of each of the contracts and services provided; the nature of controls applied in the procurement process; and if value for money has been achieved. [29556/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The company referred to by the Deputy has not been employed to provide direct consultancy services to my Department in the period.

My Department subscribes annually to the service provided by the company in terms of analysis and research information on ICT strategic business and technology trends and best practice. In addition to these research data targeted to suit my Department's specific ICT business needs, the service also provides monthly chief information officer executive reports and access to the executive programme network for private and public sector chief information officers. The subscriptions paid are the standard rate for the company's services discounted for Government subscribers.

The subscription was €13,225 in 2003, €31,439 in 2004 and €34,989 in 2005. The increase over 2003 represents an upgrade to the premium service from 2004. I am advised that the subscription represents value for money as a quality and topical source of strategic trends and analysis in global business and technology. The subscription will continue to be kept under review to ensure that it represents ongoing value for money for my Department's information systems division and senior management.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total amount paid to a consultancy company (details supplied) since 1997; the details of each of the contracts and services provided; the nature of controls applied in the procurement process; and if value for money has been achieved. [29571/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The company referred to by the Deputy was paid €26,886 in March 2000 in respect of its undertaking the 1998-1999 audit of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund for my Department. The company was selected for this work following normal Government tendering procedures and approval by the Government contracts committee and I am satisfied that value for money was achieved in this case.