Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [3805/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department did not engage public relations consultancy firms or individuals, media advisers or other non-established civil servants for the purpose of seeking advice either on behalf of myself or either of the Ministers of State in my Department in the period 2003 to 2005.

My Department has, however, engaged public relations consultants within this period to promote specific issues or events as follows: promotion of awareness of Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency from July 2003 to January 2004; preparatory work on the national disability strategy from May 2004 to July 2004; and promoting the affordable housing initiative and assisting with the general communications issues, including interaction with those in the relevant target groups around the country.