In relation to the first named company, my Department used the consulting services of this company on a number of occasions between 1997 and 1999. The total value of this work amounted to €172,674. The greater part of this expenditure arose from a publicity campaign and related items by the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland. This amount also includes the cost of advertising the availability of lo-call telephone numbers to Departments.
The first named company, on amalgamation with another company, changed its name. My Department used the services of this company in 2001 to the value of €9,730. This expenditure related to the design of newspaper advertising and the supply of copy for radio advertising in relation to the special savings incentive accounts scheme. In relation to the second named company, the Central Bank has informed my Department that a member of its staff attended a course in 2001 run by a company with the same acronym as the second named company referred to by the Deputy. The cost of attendance at this course was €290.