asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is his Department's policy that State-sponsored companies should ascertain, before placing large and valuable contracts, that Republic of Ireland tenderers have had every opportunity to quote fairly and arrange or vary detailed items, so as to place themselves in a competitive position; and, if so, if this happened in the case of every large tender of £1,000,000 or more placed by State-sponsored companies in the recent past.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Company Contracts.
11.
It is my policy and also the established practice in the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department to afford every opportunity to Irish firms to compete for contracts. The State bodies are very conscious of the desirability of using Irish materials and products and they allow for an element of preference in favour of Irish firms in their purchases and contracts. When drawing up specifications with a view to inviting tenders, the State-sponsored bodies, in order to make the maximum use of Irish materials and contractors, take full account of the necessity for specifying works and materials in a form convenient for tendering by Irish firms. These factors were taken into consideration in all recent large contracts placed by the State bodies with which I am concerned.
The information supplied to the Minister is incorrect. In a recent contract there was a variation which ended in a very different lot of goods being supplied. An Irish firm was not given the opportunity of re-tendering.
If the Deputy will give me the particulars, I shall be glad to follow up the particular case——
I am entirely dissatisfied with the reply. I wish to give notice that, with the permission of the Chair, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
If that is an unsatisfactory reply——
The Minister will find out on the Adjournment how unsatisfactory it is.
I appreciate the Deputy's desire to advertise himself.