Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39133/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commissions external contractors, consultancy services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally.

External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money.

My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement guidelines. Procurement takes place in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and supported by Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).

Provided is a table of communications experts, communications consultancy companies, public relations and public affairs companies in 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024: