Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Uniforms.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

185 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the regulations, conditions or guidelines, if any, from a security point of view in relation to the manner or location in which Garda uniforms, crests, labels and insignia are manufactured; if her Department has expressed any reservations about the placing of a recent order for Garda clothing outside the State as it appears that EC regulations allow local contractors to be selected when security considerations are an issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The procurement of uniforms, crests, labels and insignia on behalf of the Garda Síochána is the responsibility of the Government Supplies Agency which is under the aegis of the Minister for Finance. Tendering procedures and allocation of contracts rests solely with the Agency which must proceed in accordance with EC rules relating to the matter.

Naturally, I am disappointed that an Irish company was not successful in tendering for the clothing on this occasion. I am informed by the Minister for Finance that all aspects of the matter were taken into consideration by the Agency before awarding the contract to a foreign firm.

I should say that in the present case, the accessories supplied (crests, labels and insignia) were made in Ireland.