In line with public procurement policy as outlined at central government level, and to achieve maximum value for money, my Department engages in open tendering to the greatest possible extent. This requires advertising in the EU Journal and extensive use of the e-tenders website to enable a wide range of responses from interested vendors. Within these parameters, the Irish information and communications sector in general is a beneficiary of Defence expenditure, but it should be noted that my Department, including the Defence Forces, does not give preferential treatment to any particular company. This is in line with public procurement requirements. Exceptions to this procedure occur only when a single source of supply is available and I am satisfied that equal competitive opportunity is given to all vendors who transact business with my Department.