Public Procurement Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Questions (251, 252)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

251. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, decided to rush the execution of the framework agreement to a UK company prior to the expiration of the challenging period, especially when the LGMA was aware that at least two Irish tenderers had expressed great reservation on the legality of the procurement process in the framework agreement for the supply of library books and AV material competition; the reason for the haste, in view of the fact that the LGMA's own system, according to its tender document, would not be ready until 31 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/17]

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

252. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the Local Government Management Agency is advising participating local authorities to promptly place call off contracts under framework agreements, even if statutory judicial review proceedings have been issued, as according to regulation 8(2) of the remedies regulations, contracting authorities are prohibited to conclude any contract until such date that the court has determined the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

My Department has no role in relation to the procurement of book-stock for public libraries. The provision of public library services, including the procurement of books, is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001.

A national tender for book-stock procurement was run recently by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of local authorities. All matters related to the tender process were managed by the LGMA with support from the Education Procurement Service.

My Department had no direct role in this process.

Arrangements have been put in place by bodies under the aegis of the Department to facilitate the provision of information by those bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. Accordingly, information requested in respect of the national book-stock tender can be sought directly from the LGMA at [e-mail].