Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the companies or consultants engaged since June 2007 by his Department or any of the agencies under his aegis to provide advice or training in the areas of public relations, communications or media training; the amount paid in each case; the retainer fee paid in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The information requested by the Deputy, together with a brief description of the services provided, is set out in the following table. In accordance with the requirements of the Public Financial Procedures, it is not the Department's practice to pay retainer fees.

I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on such expenditure. The Department commissions external advisory and training services only where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department. With regard to bodies under the auspices of my Department, the Hunger Task Force commissioned one relevant consultancy in 2007 and the related details are included in the table for Vote 29.