Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of occasions on which he has sought advice from public relations consultancy firms or individuals, media advisers or other non-established civil servants in the past three years; if such advisers are retained on a permanent or [i]per diem [/i]basis or otherwise; if such persons have had previous experience with Departments or subsidiary bodies; the rate and basis of remuneration in each case; the departmental headings from which payments were made; the extent to which payments were made under the heading miscellaneous; if reference will be made to same in the case of each Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3780/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The only public relations or media advice sought during the last three years has been provided by Murray Consultants Limited who are currently under contract by my Department to provide a public relations and media service. The first such contract was awarded in June 2003 following a competitive tendering process. Following a second competitive tendering process in November 2004 Murray Consultants Limited were then awarded another contract from December 2004, which is due to expire shortly. The current contract with Murray Consultants provides for a retainer fee of €4,500 per month payable in arrears plus reasonable vouched expenses towards costs incurred in carrying out the contract such as mileage, telephone and postage costs. Payment is made from my Department's consultancy subhead. No payments are made under the heading miscellaneous.

Murray Consultants Limited stated in its tender documentation that it has undertaken work for the Department of Health and Children, the Revenue Commissioners, Fáilte Ireland, the Enterprise Strategy Group, the Higher Education Authority, the national pensions reserve fund and the International Fund for Ireland. I am not in a position to say if that is an exhaustive list.