Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he made submissions to the McCarthy group on potential savings in his Department; the contents of the submissions made; if the McCarthy group made proposals to him; the contents of the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28898/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department made a detailed submission to the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, chaired by Mr. Colm McCarthy, in February of this year, as requested by the Department of Finance. This submission covered my Department's two Votes: Foreign Affairs (Vote 28) and Irish Aid (Vote 29).

The format of the submission was in line with a template provided by the Department of Finance. It aligned all expenditure under each of the High Level Goals for my Department as set out in the current Strategy Statement. In relation to each High Level Goal, or programme, the submission provided factual information on expenditure levels and staff numbers, outlined the key outputs delivered and planned under the programme, explained how the key elements of the programme are delivered, assessed how the programme expenditure and outputs meet the intended policy objectives of the programme, listed the key drivers behind any increases in expenditure and staff numbers since 2002 , and outlined the likely consequences if the programme were discontinued.

I understand that the Department of Finance also provided the Special Group with additional briefing material in relation to my Department's two Votes.

My Department's submission was provided to the Secretariat to the Special Group in advance of a meeting held between the Secretary General of my Department and the Special Group on 11 March. The Special Group was provided with additional information orally at this meeting in response to specific questions.

My Department has not been supplied with a copy of the report prepared by the Special Group.