Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of reports commissioned by his Department since July 1997; the expenditure on reports since that date; the number of reports entirely implemented; the number partially implemented; the number unimplemented; the names of the reports unimplemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23472/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to present the information on reports commissioned by the Department of Defence since July 1997 in the manner requested by the Deputy in reverse chronological order.

In 2009 the Department commissioned four reports as follows:

- Deloitte were commissioned to undertake a review of the Finance Branch of the Department. The objective of the review was to examine the business processes, procedures and organisational structures in operation in Finance Branch and to provide a report making recommendations for improvements in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. The cost of the review was €80,550. The review is now being implemented and is delivering staff savings and improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

- Version 1 Ltd were commissioned to provide a report in respect of Oracle licence management in the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The results of this report will assist in the formulation of policy and practice in the area of licence management. The cost of the report was €2,308.

- The Department commissioned an independent review of documentation in relation to a legal action initiated by a staff member. No implementation measures were required on foot of the report. The cost of the report was €2,430.

- The Department commissioned an independent quality assessment of the Value for Money Review of Naval Service Vessel Maintenance, as part of the standard VFM process. The cost of the report was €2,800.

In 2008 the Department commissioned four reports as follows:

- PA Consultant Group were commissioned to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The cost of this review was €95,000. The consultancy focused on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces. The consultants recommended a programme of major change, implementation of which is ongoing.

- Entograph Ltd were commissioned to carry out a report for the control of bracken in the Glen of Imaal. The report cost €30,129 and the advice contained in it has been implemented.

- Mott McDonald Ltd were commissioned to carry out a review of the Safety Policy at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. The cost of this review was €50,000 and the recommendations have been implemented.

- FGS Consulting were engaged to undertake a Value for Money Review of Military Training Lands. This review is part of a programme agreed between the Department of Defence and the Department of Finance as part of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review initiative. The review is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that this report will be completed in the near future. The total value of the contract is €90,000 and expenditure to date amounts to €60,500.

In 2007 two reviews were commissioned as follows:

- TNS MRBI were commissioned to carry out research into the issue of Recruitment and Retention of Women in the Defence Forces. The research tested women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. The cost incurred was €47,746.60. The result of this market research has assisted in the formulation of policy and practice in this area.

- The Department commissioned an independent quality assessment of the Value for Money Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces, as part of the standard VFM process. The cost of the report was €2,904.

In 2006 two reports were commissioned as follows:

- The Office of Emergency Planning commissioned a Public Attitude Survey, which was conducted by Millward Brown, IMS. The cost of the survey was €30,912. The purpose of the survey was to carry out a market research programme into public attitudes and awareness of emergency planning in Ireland.

- The Office of Emergency Planning commissioned Grayling Communications Consultants to devise a Communications Strategy on the approach to be taken by Government in its public information and awareness campaign on Emergency Planning. The cost of developing the strategy was €14,520. The campaign was subsequently launched in April 2008.

The principal reports commissioned in the earlier years back to 1997 included the following:

2004 The Independent Monitoring Group progress report entitled "Response to the Challenge of a Workplace" was presented. The cost of report was €161,259. This charted the progress made with implementation of the "Doyle Report". 2002 The "Challenge of a Workplace" report prepared by Dr. Eileen Doyle and the External Advisory Committee was presented to my predecessor. The cost of report, also known as the "Doyle Report", was €63,000. Implementation of the recommendations arising from the report was driven by the "Independent Monitoring Group" set up in the same year. 2001 - Intercontinental Aviation Consultants were commissioned to carry out an Air Operations Safety Audit of the Air Corps. The cost of the report was €55,442 and the recommendations were implemented. 1998 - Ernst & Young were commissioned to carry out an analysis and design of a Fishery Control System to enable the Naval Service to meet its obligations under new fishery regulations. The cost of the report was €608,839 and the study formed the basis for the Naval Service's Fishery Control System.

If the deputy has any other specific report in mind or any particular topic of interest I would be happy to have the relevant information provided to him.