Vol. 457 No. 5
74 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice the consultants who were appointed by her Department since 16 December 1994; if they were appointed following a tendering procedure; if the consultant appointed in each case was the lowest tenderer; and if not, who the lowest tenderer was. [15706/95]
With regard to the consultancy firms appointed by my Department since 16 December 1994 I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 19 October 1995 to Deputy John O'Donoghue. Further to my reply on 19 October 1995 there is one additional firm which is employed in relation to consultancies for prison work, specifically concerning health and safety aspects in prisons, at a cost of £6,200.
All consultancy firms appointed by my Department since 16 December, 1994 have been engaged in strict accordance with the guidelines and procedures laid down by the Department of Finance. These guidelines outline the criteria for selecting design, management and other consultants and also set out the circumstances under which tenders must be sought.
I should inform the Deputy, at this stage that there are circumstances whereby a single tender can be obtained (for example where the service sought is of a specialist nature) and the guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance in this regard are very specific. I can confirm to the Deputy that where relevant, my Department complies with the requirements of the Department of Finance in this regard.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that where competitive tenders were sought by my Department the lowest tender, which complied with the requirements of the project, was always accepted.
