Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contracts won by a company (details supplied) for his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department since 2000; the value of these contracts; and if these contracts were properly advertised in a transparent way. [4549/07]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2000, the company concerned undertook two assignments for the Department of Foreign Affairs. In 2002, the Irish and British Governments conducted a joint review of the activities of Encounter, an organisation established by both Governments in 1983 to contribute to improved relations between the two countries. Following discussions with the British authorities, it was agreed that this company would conduct the review in consultation with a firm of consultants in Great Britain. The contract was jointly awarded and it was agreed that the cos t would be shared by both administrations. Our share of the work came to €31,100.60.

The firm also completed work for the Department in 2004 on economic links with Arab countries in the context of Ireland's overall trade; the cost of this assignment was €9,000 (excluding VAT).

Given the nature of these assignments and the modest scale of the work and costs involved, it was not deemed necessary to advertise in these cases.