Proposed Legislation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Questions (108)

Anne Ferris

Question:

107 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to meet the commitment given to the EU-IMF to introduce legislation to give effect to the Competition Authority report recommendation that he examine the introduction of competitive tendering for legal services purchased by the State; if he considered the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts into procurement of legal services which recommended that competitive tendering for solicitors’ and barristers’ legal services should be made mandatory for all public bodies when drafting the Legal Services Regulatory Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/11]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

My Department is engaged with the State's law offices, who are critically involved in the engagement of legal services, with a view to increasing competitive forces and pursing reductions in overall costs. Reductions are being achieved through reduced fee levels.

Legal services are not exempt from public procurement rules and many authorities tender for their legal advisory services. To raise awareness in this regard, my Department will shortly re-iterate the importance of competitive tendering to all public bodies.