Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
227 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if the national public procurement operations unit has begun the process of implementing green public procurement principles into government procurement practices; if a timeframe has been drawn up for the implementation of EU directives 17 and 18 of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48355/09]
View answerThe National Public Procurement Operations Unit (NPPOU) has begun the process of implementing green procurement principles by having a systemised referral of all procurement projects to a working group consisting of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Communications Energy and National Resources and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The purpose of the referral is to identify policies and national targets that can be supported through the procurement process. This leads to the inclusion of green, social and commercial principles and objectives in the NPPOU's procurement strategies.
The NPPOU operates in full compliance under the terms of Directive 2004/18/EC. Directive 2004/17/EC applies to the utilities sector. The NPPOU has not acted in that sector to date. When it does so, the requirements of the Directive will be complied with fully.
