I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 40 together.
The Marine Institute has commissioned a new research vessel at a cost of £1.741 million to replace the research vessel Lough Beltra which is nearing the end of its useful life. The vessel is being 75 per cent funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Marine Research Measure of the Fisheries Operational Programme.
The specification and design of the vessel was developed through wide consultation with researchers, scientists and marine sectoral interests.
Following advertising in the national press, trade journals and the Official Journal of the European Union in September and October 1995, seven shipyards submitted tenders based on the specification and plan prepared by the Marine Institute. Two of these shipyards were Irish.
The tender documentation provided that the contract would be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender with regard to the following: demonstratable relevant experience and technical merit; price quoted and value for money; awarding authority inspection of financial records and at its option the furnishing by the supplier of a performance guarantee; compliance with appropriate national and EU tax clearance procedures; period for completion.