Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 5

Written Answers. - Public Procurement Booklet.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

72 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the State bodies under the aegis of his Department that have been specifically asked to comply with the 1994 Public Procurement Booklet; and when each of the State bodies was asked by his Department to comply with the principles contained in the booklet. [14245/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Department of Finance circular 22/95 which, inter alia, draws attention to the need to comply with the requirements of the 1994 Public Procurement Booklet was circulated by my Department in July 1995 to the National Museum, the National Gallery, the National Library, the National Archives, the Heritage Council, Bord na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the National Concert Hall, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Bord Scannán na hÉireann.

As the Deputy will be aware, the booklet referred to largely represents a drawing together of existing guidelines and EU Directives. While, due to a clerical error, RTE were not specifically asked to comply with the terms of the booklet, it has been the fact that RTE were complying with the public procurement guidelines as issued from time to time. The Independent Radio and Television Commission was informed in March 1995 that it must comply with the terms of the booklet.