Vol. 574 No. 5
160 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, pursuant to regulation 5 of the European Communities (Award of Public Works Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations 1998, S.I. No. 380 of 1998, he has ensured compliance with the requirements of Council Directive No. 93/37/EEC by the recipients of a subsidy from public moneys for the development of the Punchestown Agricultural and Equestrian Event Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/03]
One of the conditions in my Department's letter of offer to Punchestown was that the appropriate public tendering process be used and the Department of Finance public procurement guidelines as well as the relevant EU directives be followed. As the project progressed the Department ensured through its control checks that proper procurement procedures were followed by Punchestown.
The Comptroller and Auditor General in his report acknowledges that "The audit established that proper tendering procedures were observed in connection with the placing of contracts, and that the Department had satisfactory controls in place in relation to the processing of payment claims in terms of on-site inspections and detailed administrative checks."
Question No. 161 answered with Question No. 157.
