Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to provide, broken down per annum, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office, in tabular form; the external public relations firm used; to outline the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Since taking office on 6 May 2016, my Department has not used any external public relation firms.

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 address specific issues as they arise. The Department, therefore, may incur expenditure on public relations from time to time.

In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.