Vol. 453 No. 7
104 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the firms employed by his Department in a public relations or marketing capacity; the terms of the contracts with these firms; the conflict of interest, if any, declared by them in respect of the responsibilities of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/95]
McMahon Sheedy Communications Consultants have, in recent months, been employed by my Department as public relations consultants on specific occasions including the launch of the sub-programme for the development of the food industry under the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999 and the launch of the Charter of Rights for Farmers. The services of Bill O'Herlihy Communications Group were availed of on one occasion.
With the approval of the Department of Finance, my Department is at present making arrangements for the placing of a contract to avail of the services of McMahon Sheedy Communications Consultants who will not be involved in day-to-day policy issues. No conflict of interest arises.
