David Stanton
Question:18 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the lessons that can be learned from the recent report on the Office of Public Work’s procurement procedures for the EU Presidency. [18698/04]
View answerWednesday, 23 June 2004
Questions (37, 38)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:25 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take arising from the independent review by PricewaterhouseCoopers into procurement procedures used by the OPW in Dublin Castle, particularly the finding that many of the contracts awarded for services for EU meetings during the Irish Presidency breached procurement rules. [18584/04]
View answerWritten answers
The findings of the report have raised a number of issues about the OPW's procurement of goods and services.
The nature of the event management work and operations in Dublin Castle and Farmleigh is quite different from that of other OPW units. Difficulties arose primarily because of the special nature of Dublin Castle's operations, particularly for the EU Presidency. I am satisfied that there is no basis to draw any inference from the report. The OPW provides a broad range of services. It conforms to the highest possible standards of fairness, transparency, integrity and value in public procurement and the awarding of contracts. The report acknowledges the special nature of the Dublin Castle operation, particularly in having to respond at short notice to changing circumstances and client requirements. It also acknowledged the high standards of service and facilities necessary for significant and important State events such as the EU Presidency. The report includes a number of recommendations for improvement in procurement procedures at Dublin Castle.
As I have said on previous occasions, I accept the report's findings and I am committed to implementing its recommendations. Work commenced on organising open tender competitions for the supply of audio-visual and simultaneous interpretation services, cleaning, catering and other services in Dublin Castle. The initial steps involve an analysis of the service needs and, in the light of that analysis, the preparation of a detailed specification for the services required. A revised edition of the public procurement guidelines was published in May. A formal open tender process will be conducted, in accordance with the revised guidelines, where expenditure on any service in any year exceeds €50,000 per annum.
An open EU procurement process for audio-visual services will be followed in line with the recommendation in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. Revised procurement procedures are being prepared for Dublin Castle and its unique operations within the OPW.