Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Commissioning of Reports-Inquiries.

Peter Barry

Question:

105 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has been responsible for commissioning reports and/or inquiries over the past five years; if so, the nature and number of these; their cost; the number published or awaiting publication.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Department of Foreign Affairs produces a twice yearly report on "Development in the European Communities" and an annual report on "Ireland's Official Development Assistance". The Department also produces other reports from time to time, using its own resources or those of other Departments; such reports are normally for internal use and not for publication.

Over the past five years the Department has been responsible for commissioning and publishing two studies in the area of cross-Border economic co-operation. The "North West Study", dealing with the economic development of the Donegal/Derry/Strabane region, was published in April 1990. The cost of the study was shared equally between the Irish and British Governments; the Irish Government's share was £69,614 (of which 75 per cent was refunded by the European Regional Development Fund). A second study, "Ireland in Europe: A Shared Challenge", dealing with economic co-operation on the island of Ireland in an integrated Europe, was published in June 1992. The total cost involved, including production and printing costs and fees to consultants commissioned to write individual sectoral chapters, amounted to £58,317.