Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 411: To ask the Minister for Transport the guidelines in place for the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields; and if ministerial approval is required for approval of expenditure on such commissions. [30160/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Existing guidelines in place for the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields include Department of Finance public procurement guidelines: Competitive Process — Supplies and Services — July 2004, and Department of Finance Guidelines for Engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service — March 1999.

Furthermore, this Department has taken on where applicable the recommendations outlined in the Quigley report of January 2005 and will take steps to ensure that the measures outlined in the Taoiseach's statement of 11 October 2005, management of ICT projects and consultancy services, and the Minister for Finance's statement of 20 October 2005, achieving value for money in public expenditure, are implemented as quickly as possible. While current practice within this Department is that formal ministerial approval is not required for expenditure on such commissions, this is under review at present.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 412: To ask the Minister for Transport the percentage of reports, consultancies and cases from external commissions where the issue of poor value for money was highlighted, in his Department from 1998 to date in 2005. [30175/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's policy is to engage consultants or to commission reports only in those circumstances where there is a requirement for specialised knowledge or expertise which is not available in my Department or where the cost of performing the task in-house would result in a prohibitive opportunity cost. I am conscious of the necessity to achieve value for money and of the key role the Comptroller and Auditor General plays in carrying out value-for-money audits of State organisations.