Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Advertising Contract.

Michael Woods

Question:

51 Dr. Woods asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether a letter from a person (details supplied) to his special adviser of 4 May 1995, or some of its contents, were brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1321/96]

Michael Woods

Question:

55 Dr. Woods asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the involvement of his special adviser (details supplied) in correspondence relating to the awarding of an advertising contract by a Government sub-Committee of which he was not a member; and the official role, if any, assigned by him or the Government to this person in the conduct of the divorce referendum campaign. [1320/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 55 together.

My special adviser was requested by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform to assist him by serving on a committee whose purpose was to assess and evaluate presentations from six advertising agencies in connection with the divorce referendum. He had no role in the awarding of any contract beyond being party to a recommendation from the committee as to their view of the best presentation.

In the course of the divorce referendum campaign itself he chaired a committee, composed of representatives of the three parties in Government, whose purpose was to provide campaign advice to the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, and through him to the Government sub-committee on the matter.

I was not involved in any way with the selection of any advertising agency for the purposes of the divorce referendum campaign. It was neither appropriate nor necessary to bring correspondence in the matter to my attention.