Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 3

Written Answers. - Survey Results.

Brian Cowen

Question:

102 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in relation to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 30 January 1996, the result of the survey undertaken on his behalf by McMahon, Sheedy Communications Consultants; the reason he commissioned McMahon, Sheedy to undertake a survey among journalists and others in the agri-business of his standing on various issues; the number and names of those surveyed for this purpose at public expense; the questions asked and the results obtained; whether McMahon, Sheedy have to date itemised this work in any invoice to his Department; whether this invoice has been settled to date; the date on which he commissioned this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The results of the survey referred to and the questions asked therein are confidential. The numbers and names of those surveyed were not made available to me. As stated in my reply of 30 January 1996, the survey was part of ongoing work undertaken by McMahon Sheedy Communications Consultants on their own initiative. This work has not been itemised in an invoice. I understand that the work was carried out during a brief period last month.

Future work carried out by McMahon Sheedy Communications Consultants will be focused on provincial media and local radio on behalf of the Department. This type of consultancy has been a normal feature for many years.