Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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566. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49152/14]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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578. 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. [49377/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 578 together.

My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as 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 which the Deputy requested is outlined in tabular format below.