I propose to take Question Nos. 212 to 215, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will appreciate that responsibility for the disposal of its property is a matter for the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in accordance with relevant State and EU guidelines and directives, which are applicable generally to all State bodies. These include the public procurement procedures, 1994 edition, and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, 2001.
As I outlined during the Adjournment Debate on the matter on 24 March 2004, section 8 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979 sets out the functions of Údarás and specifies at subsection 8(7): "For the purposes of this section, an tÚdarás shall have power to acquire, receive on transfer, hold, sell, mortgage, lease, let or otherwise dispose of land, buildings, markets, premises or plant and to erect, alter or maintain buildings, markets, premises or plant."
I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the disposal of fixed assets can be achieved in a number of different ways, for example, by the sale or long lease of a premises to sitting industrial tenants, or by sale on the open market. In respect of the latter, I understand this is normally handled by auctioneers or estate agents by way of a tender process, by private treaty or by auction. Where the tendering process was used, the properties were publicly advertised in the press and through the estate agent's office. I understand also that business plans were sought, where appropriate, and that tax clearance procedures are not relevant to tender documentation for the sale of assets.
In regard to the criteria being used by the board of Údarás in evaluating and determining the successful tenderer for the sale of Údarás property, the Deputy will appreciate that no one set of criteria can apply to all cases. However, Údarás has confirmed that, in accordance with its statutory functions, it attaches a high priority to broader cultural and language considerations, particularly the preservation of the Irish language, when making decisions on the sale of its properties.
With regard to the specific details sought in relation to disposal of Údarás property, the Deputy will appreciate that these are day-to-day operational matters for the organisation itself. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Údarás to provide the appropriate information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
