22nd February 2005

Minister for Finance

Guidelines For PR Consultants

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance if there are criteria in place for the engagement of public relations consultants by Government Departments; and if so, if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of such guidelines.

Minister for Finance: There are three sets of guidelines which set out the criteria in question: general guidelines on procurement, general guidelines on the engagement of consultants and new guidelines which will apply particularly in the public relations or communications area.

In March 1999 my Department issued the 'Guidelines for Engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service'. The latest public procurement guidelines 'Public Procurement Guidelines Competitive Process' were issued by my Department in July 2004. Both documents are available on the Department's website. I have arranged for hard copies to be sent to the Deputy.

Following consideration of the recommendations in the recent report prepared by Mr. Dermot Quigley, additional Guidelines in relation to certain proposed consultancy contracts have now been agreed for incorporation in the Cabinet Handbook.

These Guidelines will apply particularly in the PR or communications area where there is a significant element of direct service to a Minister or where a Minister has suggested the name of a person or enterprise for a consultancy or contract.

The additional Guidlines are in effect since 15 February. The full text of the guidelines is available on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach.