Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from Ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The following table sets out the details of external reports commissioned under Vote 27 since February 2011 and the costs in each case. No external reports were commissioned under Vote 28. The table has been prepared by reference to directly contracted engagements in respect of which professional fees were paid and Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) was deducted, where appropriate. The Department is very conscious of the need to achieve value for money and is in full compliance with national and EU procurement regulations concerning tendering requirements.

The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of Irish Aid, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation. In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed - and continues to inform - my Department’s policies, allowing for more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets. I consider that these reports have been necessary, strategically beneficial and cost-effective.

External Reports commissioned under Vote 27 (International Cooperation)