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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Contracts.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

468 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the issues regarding the extension of the contract between his Department and An Post for delivery of social welfare payments which have been raised with the EU Commission by a third party; when these issues were raised; and the response of his Department to them. [21427/99]

The Government decided in May 1999 to extend the contract between my Department and An Post under which certain social welfare payments are delivered at post offices for an additional period of three years.

A Dublin-based payments processing firm has made two complaints to the European Commission concerning the extension of the contract with An Post. The first of these complaints alleges that the decision referred to infringes certain competition related Articles of the EC Treaty. The second complaint alleges that the decision breaches the obligations which are laid down in Council Directive 92/50/EU.

These complaints were referred to my Department for its observations by the European Commission by letters dated 30 September 1999 and 12 October 1999, respectively.

My Department is currently examining these complaints and will respond to the European Commission in due course.
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