Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Supplier Appraisal Questionnaires.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

115 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Government agencies are using supplier appraisal questionnaires (details supplied); and the views, if any, he has on this matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

In Government Departments and offices questionnaires are sometimes used to seek basic information about firms, on such matters as size, previous work carried out and so on, in order to assist in examining their suitability to tender for contracts. I have no objection in principle to this procedure. Departments are encouraged to ensure that recently established firms, or firms which do not have previous experience of publicly funded contracts, are not excluded from invitation to tender without adequate grounds.

In the case of commercial State bodies I am not aware, nor would I expect to be, having regard to the principle of commercial freedom for such bodies which was agreed in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, of the procedures followed in this regard. A decision of this nature is a matter for the commercial judgment of each State body.