Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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384. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total external public relation costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [17368/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as communications, energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular format below.