Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

177 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the amount his Department spent in 2002 on information technology software licences; the amount of that budget which was spent on the products of a company (details supplied); if his Department uses Linux or similar open source software; and if it has a policy position with regard to the promotion and use of such open source software in the interests of cost savings or the development of a more transparent software industry. [29979/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

My Department spent a total of €394,006.84 on software licences in 2002 on civil and military applications. Of that amount, €176,704.21 was spent on Microsoft licences. Proprietary brand software is used on most applications and systems, with minimal use, at present, of open source software. Procurement policy in this regard, however, remains open to all market solutions, including open source software, to ensure maximum value for money.