Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the guidelines in place for the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields; and if ministerial approval is required for expenditure on such commissions. [30157/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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In commissioning outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields my Department adheres to the Department of Finance publications, Guidelines for Engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service, 1999; Public Procurement Guidelines — Competitive Process, 2004; and all of the supplement to the Department of Finance circular 40/02. Responsibility for the commissioning of consultancies by my Department is delegated to senior management.

New guidelines arising from the recommendations of the Quigley report have been circulated recently within my Department and will be adhered to in future.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of reports, consultancies and cases from external commissions where the issue of poor value for money in his Department was highlighted, from 1998 to date in 2005. [30172/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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There are no instances in my Department where poor value for money has been highlighted in regard to reports, consultancies and cases from external commissions.