Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his internal auditors are satisfied with the procurement process used in the purchase of a consultancy service (details supplied); if the process used conforms with the Department of Finance guidelines. [33417/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if value for money has been achieved by his Department in its purchase of a consultancy service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33426/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if any of his officials have attended as VIP guests at a conference organised by a company (details supplied); the locations, dates and costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33435/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his knowledge of a consultancy service (details supplied); the number of officials of his Department who are members of this particular programme; the basis on which the decision was taken to subscribe at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33444/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of competing companies that were considered in his Department's assessment before a company (details supplied) was granted a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33453/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 to 381, inclusive, together.

Staff in my Department have not participated in the executive programme referred to in the question and have not attended the conference mentioned. The company concerned provides a database of research material relating to ICT and business. My Department pays an annual subscription which allows staff to access and download from the database independent advice on various topics including information technology, e-government, project management and business-ICT related strategies. This information is used in developing strategies, preparation of tenders, selection of technologies and information technology problem solving. It also allows ICT staff in my Department to keep abreast of the latest advances in information technology and is considered to have provided value for money to date.

The contract is fixed price for one year and is reviewed at renewal time each year. My Department is satisfied that the service involved is not readily available by other means, that it represents good value for money and that its procurement has been in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines.