Officials in my Department are guided by the Department of Finance 1999 Guidelines on Engaging Consultants in the Civil Service when commissioning outside consultants for specific projects. These guidelines have been reviewed and augmented in the light of the Quigley report recommendations. In addition, the Government has recently decided that Secretaries General-Accounting Officers will be required to certify compliance with the terms of the guidelines in respect of major projects.
While there is no requirement for ministerial approval in respect of specific projects, I will review the financial provisions for consultancy in the context of the formulation of the 2006 Estimates and I will satisfy myself that the guidelines are being applied in my Department and that proposed expenditure is necessary.
As the Deputy will be aware, consultancy projects, as with all other aspects of voted Government expenditure, are open to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.