Vol. 414 No. 1
66 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline in respect of his Department (1) the number of Government contracts which are in force, (2) whether all contracts are renewed each year and (3) if all contracts are granted as a result of tendering to the most competitive estimate.
The Department of Foreign Affairs currently have 25 contracts for the supply of goods and services. This figure does not include contracts awarded locally by missions abroad. Not all of the 25 contracts are renewed each year. Contracts are awarded in accordance with Government contract procedures, which are based on a system of competitive tendering.
67 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in respect of his Department (1) the number of Government contracts which are in force, (2) whether all contracts are renewed each year and (3) if all contracts are granted as a result of tendering to the most competitive estimate.
The following is the information requested for my Department and the offices under my aegis:
Number of Contracts in force—
Department of Finance, 3
State Laboratory, 2
Revenue Commissioners, 69
Valuation and Ordnance Survey, 3
Ombudsman's Office, 3
Civil Service Commission, 1
Office of Public Works
In the time available, it would not be possible to enumerate the number of contracts in force in the Office of Public Works. It should be borne in mind that contracts can vary from multi-million pound construction works to supplies of a few pounds. Not all contracts are renewable on an annual basis. Some contracts are for two years, others may be a "once off". Supply contracts are often on a periodic basis. All tenders are granted in accordance with Government procurement regulations.
