Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 8

Written Answers. - PR Consultants — Fees.

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

141 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in relation to his reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 149 to 159, inclusive, of 15 February 1996, if he will reconcile his statement that an invoice is received from McMahon Sheedy Communications Limited at the end of each month in respect of work carried out that month and his statement that the survey being inquired about has not been invoiced to his Department; the heading under which the work mentioned was invoiced; the amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4014/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

142 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the 30 provincial papers for whom McMahon Sheedy Communications Limited provide a column; if he will provide a copy of all of these columns along with the date and publications in which each appeared; the cost to date and estimated ongoing cost of these columns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4015/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

143 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason he has kept confidential the results of a survey carried out by McMahon Sheedy Communications Limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4016/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

144 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the definite dates in January 1996 during which McMahon Sheedy Communications Limited undertook a survey for his Department; the reason he did not give this information in his reply to Parliamentary Questions of 15 February 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4017/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

145 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the meaning of his use of the word small in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 149 to 159, inclusive, of 15 February 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/96]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 145, together, inclusive.

I understand that the survey referred to was carried out between 9 and 19 January and that some 12-14 persons were contacted. The results of the survery were confidential between agent and client. 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 as part of their contract and was not itemised in an invoice.

The list of provincial papers to which a column is supplied follows. There have been three columns to date this year providing important information for farmers and food processors on critical issues affecting their industry. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the dates and publications in which these columns appear due to staff shortages. As the costs of the column are covered within the contract mentioned in my earlier reply, there are no additional costs involved.

A total of £23,471.05 (plus withholding tax of £6,689.77) has been paid to McMahon Sheedy to date. Drury Communications were employed as public relations consultants by my Department in the years 1992-94 at a cost of £54,676.50.

Minister's Column — Provincial Papers.

Newspaper

1. Anglo Celt

2. Avondhu

3. Clare Champion

4. Connaught Tribune

5. Clonmel Nationalist

6. Donegal Democrat

7. Dundalk Democrat

8. Echo Newspaper

9. Imokilly People

10. Kerryman

11. Kilkenny People

12. Leinster Express

13. Leinster Leader

14. Leitrim Observer

15. Limerick Leader

16. Longford Leader

17. Mayo News

18. Meath Chronicle

19. Midland Tribune

20. Munster Express

21. Nationalist and Leinster Times

22. Nenagh Guardian

23. Northern Standard

24. People Newpaper Group

25. Roscommon Herald

26. Sligo Champion

27. Southern Star

28. Tipperary Star

29. Waterford News and Star

30. Westmeath Examiner

31. Western People