Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 January 2014
147. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the tendering system regarding approved service suppliers to Irish Water for unblocking sewers and carrying out CCTV surveys on sewers and water mains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3256/14]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann, to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. Procurement by Irish Water of suppliers is a matter for the company and I have no role in approving individual contracts. However, Irish Water has indicated that its tendering processes are fully compliant with public procurement rules.
I understand from the company that in this case, the tender documentation for CCTV & Jetting (Pre-qualification and Invitation to tender documentation) was specifically developed for Sewer Jetting and CCTV works/services, and the documentation that was issued to applicants/tenderers is unique and specific to those works/services.
In respect of day-to-day jetting work, all tenderers that met the minimum criteria were admitted to the framework. Irish Water confirmed that every effort was made throughout the tendering process to deliver a suite of documents which would result in the provision of suitably experienced Contractors, regardless of applicant size, whilst ensuring all Health & Safety requirements were met.
