John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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748. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department spent on public relations consultants and all matters relating to public relations costs in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11425/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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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.

My Department's spend on public relations consultancy in 2016 was €44,460.