Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number and identity of persons, groups, bodies or agencies other than the established civil servants from whom she or Ministers of State in her Department have sought or received advice in connection with policy or administrative matters appertaining to the operation of her Department or other bodies under her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [35962/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The only persons other than established civil servants from whom advice has been sought or received on a personal basis by me, or the Ministers of State in my Department are two personal advisors. Mr Michael Shovlin was employed by me as press advisor until earlier this year, with a salary of €83,815 per annum. Mr Stiofán Nutty is currently employed by Minister of State Sargent. His salary since appointment amounts to €15,106. Advice on capital projects was not provided by either of the advisors.

Apart from this, as a matter of course, I regularly meet with farming and other representative groups as well as State agencies under my Department's remit in connection with matters appertaining to the operation of the Department. In addition there is frequent engagement with the food industry under the Agri-Vision Action Plan. A research group, chaired by industry, was established by me to advise on high level research priorities. The group includes representatives of third level food research institutions, the food industry and consumers. No fees are paid in any of these cases.

There are many other areas where my Department receives advice. For example, my Department receives advice, in relation to potential disease outbreaks, from BirdWatch Ireland, the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) in UCD and the Avian 'Flu Expert Advisory Group and, in relation to animal welfare issues, from the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC).

The Department's Audit Committee which comprises non-public service members, officials from other Departments and officials of my Department, also offers advice on an on-going basis on administrative systems and procedures. A per diem rate is payable to non-public service members. A total of €2,800 has been paid in respect of 2007. In the past twelve months, my Department has also engaged the consultants detailed on the following list, who have provided advice on the specific matters indicated.