Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 465: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the expenditure by his Department on consultants for each of the past six calendar years, including to date in 2008; the breakdown of these figures in order to show the amount and proportion of expenditure on consultants which relates to expenditure on public relations, marketing or advertising consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28377/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the expenditure by my Department on consultancies, as defined under the Department of Finance Guidelines, for the years 2003 to date in 2008 is as follows:

None of the consultancies undertaken during the period relate to the provision of marketing, public relations or advertising activities, as my Department does not employ public relations or advertising consultants.

However, my Department places advertising through an advertising agency. The contract with the agency was awarded following a competitive tender which was advertised at national and EU level in accordance with procedures set out in EU Directives.