THE GOVERNMENT was seeking a €25 million reduction in spending on public relations and consultancy contracts, Taoiseach Brian Cowentold the Dáil.

This followed a 50 per cent reduction which was sought last year, he said.

Mr Cowen said that guidelines had been brought to the attention of all secretaries general, who were asked to implement them and also bring them to the attention of all newly-appointed ministers and ministers of state.

“The guidelines give the secretary general to the Government and the Government secretariat a role in examining certain procurements,” said Mr Cowen.

The Taoiseach said, however, that there was no special committee in his department to oversee the awarding of public relations contracts by Ministers. Any workload arising from the application of those additional guidelines was handled within existing resources in the Government secretariat.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kennysaid that radio advertisements costing over €23,000 were recently put out by Minister for the Environment John Gormleyannouncing the special protection of seven areas in Co Dublin.

This was one of several campaigns run by his department, which had spent more than €3 million on advertising this year alone.

Mr Cowen said that there were many public information notices and campaigns which were necessary to bring to the attention of citizens. “They cover issues such as statutory requirements and matters of public importance in particular areas,” he said.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmoreasked on how many occasions the appointment of a particular person or public relations firm had been considered by the Government secretariat in line with the guidelines.

He also asked on how many occasions a recommendation had been made to the Taoiseach regarding whether any special procurement arrangements should be applied.

Mr Cowen said he did not recall any instances having been brought to his attention.

“The guidelines are being observed,” he said.