Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 8

Written Answers. - Public Relations-Media Advice.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

161 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel in his Department and private firms contracted for public relations-media advice; the names and costs paid to private firms and consultants; the total cost incurred since his appointment; the total cost incurred by the Minister of State at his Department; if this expenditure went out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The number of departmental staff assigned specifically to public relations cannot be quantified precisely as the press and information office carry out a range of departmental functions in addition to its press functions. There are four staff in the press and information office which provides a service to the Minister, the Ministers of State and the Department. One member of staff is seconded from a State company and the others are civil servants. The Bill O'Herlihy Communications Group are retained as public relations consultants at a cost so far this year of £32,882. The company was retained following a competitive tendering process.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

162 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel in his Department and private firms contracted for public relations-media advice; the names and costs paid to private firms and consultants; the total cost incurred since his appointment; the total cost incurred by the Minister of State at his Department; if this expenditure went out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16356/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

Apart from military personnel in the Army press office, which provides a media contact service on factual day-to-day Defence Force matters, one official of the Department is employed as press liaison officer for the Department. No private firms are contracted to provide relations-media advice to me or to the Minister of State at the Department.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

163 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel in his Department and private firms contracted for public relations-media advice; the names and costs paid to private firms and consultants; the total cost incurred since his appointment; the total cost incurred by the Minister of State at his Department; if this expenditure went out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16357/95]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

Neither myself nor the Minister of State at my Department has engaged any private public relations or media consultants. My Department has, however, a media information office which is staffed by departmental personnel.