Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the tax payer of his proposed externally hosted press cutting/media monitoring service for the first 12 months, once such a contract is awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24771/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason his Department is seeking tenders for the provision of an externally hosted press cutting/media monitoring service; the matters that his Department is interested in monitoring and the benefit of this monitoring to the tax payer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

The Department of Defence comprises civil and military elements with distinct but complementary roles. The primary role of the civil element of the Department is to support me as Head of the Department, in particular by providing policy advice and support on Defence matters. In support of this role my Department initiated an open tender competition for the provision of an externally hosted press cutting and media monitoring service on the 4th May 2012. This service is required to support the timely, responsive and effective conduct of the business of the Department. The service will provide a press cutting and media monitoring service covering issues of direct relevance to my Department and on the key areas of the Defence organisation including the Defence Forces, Naval Service and the Air Corp. The cost of the provision of this service will be determined by the tender competition which is still active.