Vol. 435 No. 7
7 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Finance if the required tax clearance procedures were complied with by the Office of Public Works before awarding a contract for the supply of carpets to Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A special hand-tufted carpet was required for the ground floor lobby and corridors of Leinster House in time for the visit of the Australian Prime Minister on 20 September 1993.
A tender competition was held, and based on the representational design drawings prepared by the Office of Public Works, tenderers submitted proposals in terms of design, quality and cost. Two companies were involved. Each quoted a minimum ten week delivery period. The Office of Public Works considered that each proposed an equally acceptable quality for a hand-tufted carpet and on 6 July 1993 awarded the contract to the company which quoted the lowest price, subject to tax clearance in due course, in view of the extreme urgency of the completion deadline.
Unfortunately, the company subsequently experienced financial difficulties and a liquidator was appointed over its assets in August 1993. The liquidator sold the stock and machinery of the company to another company which carried on the business. The latter filed change of name, company documents etc. with the Companies Registration Office and following production of a Tax Clearance Certificate, the Office of Public Works purchased the specified carpet from it, as a stock item, at no extra cost.
That carpet has since been duly fitted.
