asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that institutions representing the professions in the construction industry are gravely concerned with the problems of wastage and exploitation which are imposed by the increasing use of developer competitions as a means of procurement of new buildings by State and semi-State bodies; if, at the meeting which is being arranged between him and representatives of those institutions, he will give an assurance that abuses within the system will not continue and that the legitimate concerns of the professions and the taxpayer will be properly met; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Construction Developer Competitions.
44.
I am aware that institutions representing the professions in the construction industry have expressed dissatisfaction with regard to developer competitions. There are, however, no arrangements being made for me to meet with representatives of these institutions. On 28 June 1988 I stated in the Dáil, in reply to a parliamentary question, that design-and-build contracts have always been admissible on a competitive basis and that the use of these is encouraged in appropriate cases. There has been no change in that position. Any arrangements to be made between a developer and the professions concerned in developer competitions are a matter to be settled between themselves.