Vol. 434 No. 2
85 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will formulate regulations or guidelines in connection with the provision of services to boards of companies or organisations under her aegis by members of the board of such organisations or by organisations connected with such persons.
In relation to the State bodies which operate under the control of my Department I should point out that in March 1992 the Minister for Finance issued guidelines for State bodies which set down the principles which should govern relationships between Departments of State and State bodies under their aegis. The guidelines advise a written code of conduct for board members, including disclosure of interests, and provide for specific procedures to be followed in purchasing goods and services — in particular that competitive tendering should be the norm save in exceptional circumstances. I am satisfied that these provisions adequately cover the matters referred to in the Deputy's question.
