Vol. 402 No. 10
38 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the basis on which catering contracts at Dublin Castle are allocated; if he will confirm the firms running conferences or other functions at Dublin Castle are not permitted to select a caterer of their own choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The large scale provision of catering facilities at Dublin Castle is at present limited to five reputable catering firms, who have received security clearance from the Garda authorities to work in the complex, and who have a record of high standards of cuisine.
A franchise for occasional catering will be placed in the new year and the Commissioners of Public Works will begin public tendering procedures shortly.
If an intending user of the conference centre facilities has a preferred caterer not known to the Office of Public Works that caterer will be given every consideration within the above constraints.
