asked the Minister for Finance the fees paid by State and semi-State bodies to (a) architects (b) quantity surveyors (c) doctors (d) veterinary surgeons and (e) engineers.

The fees paid to the professions listed by State and semi-State bodies for which I have responsibility are in general those recommended by the professional governing bodies for each category. From time to time, however, in particular cases a fee may be negotiated that would be lower than these rates. In relation to the semi-State bodies under my control, the payment of fees is a matter of day-to-day administration in which I have no function.