Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food 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. [30162/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The document entitled Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service, issued by the Department of Finance in 1999 provides instructions to all Departments in the engagement of consultants. They outline national and EU contract procedures and, furthermore, set out guidelines for establishing the need to engage consultants, describe the selection process and provide guidelines for the management of such contracts. Officials in my Department apply these guidelines at all times in the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields. No public relations consultants have been engaged by my Department since 1999.