Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 5

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Noel Dempsey

Ceist:

55 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the consultants who were appointed by his Department since 16 December 1994; if they were appointed following a tendering procedure; if the consultant appointed in each case was the lowest tenderer; and if not, who the lowest tenderer was. [15717/95]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

The information requested is as follows: The contract for the Government's information programme on divorce was awarded to Quinn, McDonnell, Pattison Limited. It was appointed following a tendering procedure in which it was the lowest tenderer.

One person was commissioned by the task force on the travelling community to carry out professional editing and consultation services on the report on the task force. The person's name was Ms Grainne Healy, editorial consultant. She was appointed following the request for and submission of quotes from three professional editors. Ms Healy was not the lowest tenderer, but in view of time constraints, was considered to be the most suitable person for the job. I feel that it would be inappropriate to give the names of those who were unsuccessful.

Mr. Michael Keegan was appointed to conduct an inquiry on my behalf into the appointment of a solicitor-in-charge in the Monaghan office of the Legal Aid Board. There was no tendering involved in this case because he was the most suitably qualified person for the task. A former secretary of the Department of Labour, he was also a member of the Labour Relations Commission and has industrial relations experience.

Ms Ann Colgan, who was appointed to assist my Department in the setting up of the proposed Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities and the proposed Council for the Status of People with Disabilities, had her contract extended from January 1995 to advise me on disability issues. There was no tendering involved in this case. She was originally appointed in September 1993 following an advertised competition and selection following interview.