Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the engagement by semi-State agencies of external consultants; the way such costs can be controlled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2672/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, commercial state companies are established to operate explicitly in a market environment, at arm's length from Ministers, and they enjoy considerable autonomy in operational terms as they seek to generate profits in the interests of the shareholder. Operational matters, including those to which the Deputy's question refers, are the responsibility of the management and boards of these companies. In fulfilling this role, I would expect management and boards to pay very close attention to all of their company s operating costs, including, as the case may be, those arising from the engagement of external consultants.