Vol. 420 No. 4
2 Mr. Garland asked the Taoiseach if, in relation to the referendum on the Maastricht Treaty, he or the Government already hired or intend to hire the services of a public relations firm; if so, if he will outline the funds being made available for this purpose.
3 Mr. Garland asked the Taoiseach if in relation to the referendum campaign on the Maastricht Treaty, the Government has engaged, or intend to engage, the services of an advertising agency; and if so, if he will outline the funds being made available for this purpose.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, and 3 together.
No public relations firm will be employed but I can confirm that an advertising agency has been appointed. This is perfectly defensible in a matter such as this in which it is important to clarify for the Irish people the issues on which they will be voting on 18 June.
The Deputy will, of course, recall that the Dáil and Seanad recently endorsed overwhelmingly a "yes" vote. I am not in a position at this stage to give costings for the individual components as this will vary and depend on our monitoring and assessment of the programme as it develops. However, the Deputy might recall the commitment I gave in the House last week — which I now repeat here this afternoon — that the appropriate amount of money will be provided and that I will have no hesitation in making the exact figures available to the House as soon as they become known.
I should add that current estimates indicate that costs will not exceed £600,000 in total.
Is the Taoiseach seriously expecting this House to believe that the advertising bill for this whole campaign will be only £100,000 since he has already indicated that the cost of producing the leaflet was £500,000? Now he is saying that the total cost of the campaign is £600,000, leaving only £100,000 for advertising. What advertising firm has the Taoiseach appointed for this purpose? In addition, would he say whether this advertising will advocate a "yes" vote——
Of course.
——or whether the other side will feature in the relevant advertisements, which it should?
The Deputy does not listen very attentively to the replies I give in this House. On the question of advertising — I should say that leaflets also come under the heading of advertising just as do many other items — I have said today that the entire cost of this campaign is capped at £600,000. I will give the details when the campaign is over. In addition, there will be full scrutiny, as is normal, on the part of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The name of the agency appointed is the Peter Owens Agency. Of course, we will be advocating a "yes" vote. What would the Deputy expect the Government to advocate?
I would expect impartiality.
Would the Taoiseach say what were the tendering arrangements that took place to decide the particular advertising agent and whether this was the lowest tender?
Tenders were invited from a range of firms. The firm, Peter Owens, emerged successful. Formal approval by the Department of Finance is now being sought.
Would the Taoiseach say how the firms were chosen to be recipients of this invitation to tender, how many firms were invited to tender and whether this was the lowest tender?
Those other elements would be a matter for a separate question which, if the Deputy tables, I will be only too happy to answer.
This should not lead to argument.
It is not a matter for a separate question. Question No. 3 clearly relates to the services of an advertising agency. The questions I am now putting to the Taoiseach arise directly from the subject matter of Question No. 3. Perhaps I might repeat the question to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to consult his files.
We cannot afford repetition at Question Time.
Was this the lowest tender? How many firms were invited to tender?
As I said, the elements about which the Deputy has asked are separate from the question. If the Deputy wants to table a separate question it will be answered. I have named the successful firm. I said invitations to tender were invited in the normal way, of which the Deputy will be fully aware, that is to competent firms who can undertake this task. If the Deputy has any reservations about it I will be only to happy to give him full information in regard thereto.
It is the quality of the material that matters.
Since the Taoiseach is evading giving answers I will certainly be tabling a separate question.
Does the £600,000 budget the Taoiseach has indicated in respect of advertising include the cost of distributing the information booklet? Will he say whether the advertising agency will be responsible for its distribution in areas affected by the postal dispute?
The figure of £600,000 is the cap on the overall cost of the campaign. The agency will not be responsible for the distribution of the booklet. The cost of the booklet is included in that figure. Now that I have got additional information I can tell Deputy John Bruton that eight tenders were invited and six responded.
Was the lowest tender accepted?
I now call Deputy Noonan (Limerick East) and I will then call Deputy Garland for a final question.
(Limerick East): Will the Taoiseach name the firm of printers being retained by the advertising agency?
I have not got that information at present, but when I get it I will pass it on to the Deputy.
(Limerick East): Is it Kavanagh's?
To be honest, I do not know.
Has the Taoiseach briefed the advertising agency as to how this money is to be spent as between advertising in newspapers, on the State radio and television services and local radio?
The money will be spent in the most cost effective and efficient manner in order to get the best result for a "yes" vote in the referendum.
May I ask a question?
It has to be very brief, Deputy.
My questions are always brief. Will the Minister state how the information booklets that have been printed will be distributed? I understand that as a result of the postal dispute several hundred thousand booklets are lying in the An Post depot on the Naas Road. How is it intended that these booklets will be distributed so that the expenditure of £600,000 is cost effective?
The Deputy need have no fears or any doubts whatsoever that expenditure will be kept within the overall figure of £600,000. Responsibility for the distribution of booklets outside Dublin has been given to An Post and as far as I know at this stage distribution is almost complete throughout the country. The situation in Dublin will be reviewed as matters develop in the postal strike.
That is a very civil answer.
