Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom he or Ministers of State in his Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of his Department or other bodies under his aegis in the past 12 months; the extent to which such advice related to capital expenditure projects; the cost of such advice; the extent to which it has been implemented to date or if it is intended to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware I took office at my Department in June 2007. Since then, in addition to the policy and administrative advice I have taken from my Department, I have taken into consideration the advice of my special adviser and press adviser on a broad range of issues including capital expenditure projects.

I also discuss policy and administrative matters with representatives of the agencies under the aegis of my Department as appropriate.

Apart from the salary costs of my advisers, who are paid at civil service Principal Officer Higher and Ordinary levels, no further costs have been incurred by me on advice.

There is no Minister of State in my Department.