Vol. 489 No. 2
152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science whether contracts or extension of contracts, which might fall within the criteria for public advertisement and tender as required by EU or national legislation, were awarded by his Department or bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department without advertisement for public tender in the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7766/98]
It has been a long-standing practice for my Department, and agencies under its aegis, to adhere to EU and Government Contracts Committee procedures regarding public advertisement and tender. The number of contracts awarded over the last seven years would run to thousands and I cannot justify assigning scarce staff resources to examining all these cases. However, tender procedures are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General and EU auditors. If the Deputy has a concern about any contract awarded by my Department, or an agency under its aegis, I will have the case examined.
