I am advised that no expenditure was incurred on external consultancy from my Department's Administrative Budget in 2017, nor has any such expenditure been incurred to date in 2018.
In relation to such expenditure in previous years I would refer the Deputy to the the reply given to Dáil Question No. 767 of 14 December 2017.
I would also point out that my Department commissions engineering, environmental and other experts from time to time to provide technical reports or activities on specific issues, as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants etc. or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.