Since July 1997 my Department has placed numerous advertisements in the print and broadcast media. They comprise a very wide range; some are placed on foot of a variety of statutory notification requirements, some relate to recruitment issues and some are associated with the day-to-day business, schemes and other activities pursued by my Department and/or offices and agencies under its aegis.
Long standing practice, which I have continued during my term as Minister, is to include as appropriate, in such advertisements or notices the name and/or title of the Minister or relevant Minister of State.
Records of this very wide range of advertisements and notices are not in a format that would readily permit, in the time available, compilation of the information sought by the Deputy. Compilation of such information would involve considerable time and work. I am, or my officials are, available to discuss with the Deputy the sheer logistics of engaging in this process.
I have no recollection of appearing in or speaking on any advertisements on behalf of my Department that were broadcast on radio or television.
The Deputy may wish to note that under EU Regulations, agencies involved in the implementation of EU cofunded measures under the NDP are required to put in place appropriate arrangements to promote the measure and the fact that it is receiving support from EU Structural funds. As part of this process, and in order to promote and raise awareness of the measures under the NDP among potential beneficiaries and the public at large, the Government approved a communications strategy for the NDP which includes the use of an NDP logo and of the EU logo where appropriate. In this regard, the detailed "Identity Guidelines for the National Development Plan Logo", approved by the Government, require that ‘the phrase "Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006" must be included prominently in all relevant publicity materials, advertisements, information leaflets and application forms. Reference to the EU Structural Funds must also be included where a measure is co-financed by the EU. My Department and the agencies operating under its aegis are implementing these guidelines in respect of NDP related measures. I have no information on the specific cost of including the NDP logo and text. However, as the particular advertisements would be placed anyway, the added cost of including the NDP logo would be negligible.
