Vol. 469 No. 6
94 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the number of transport companies invited to tender for the provision of transport services during EU Ministerial visits and meetings; the name of each company; whether bus, taxi, hackney or limousine service companies were employed to provide such services, which did not have to go through a tender procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/96]
My Department engaged the services of a firm providing a comprehensive transport management and hospitality service. The Noble Travel Experience Ltd., for the informal ECOFIN Council meeting in Dublin on 20 to 22 September. This company was awarded the contract on the basis of a single tender as a specialised service, which involved a management and hospitality service as well as supply of a range of vehicles.
A competition had initially been held for the supply of limousine cars only, for the occasion. This involved inviting four companies to submit tenders, two of which did so. The companies invited to submit tenders for the supply of vehicles in the original competition were: Prestige Car and Van Rentals Ltd., Hertz, Murrays Chauffeur Drive Service and Argus Automobiles Ltd. Following the decision that an integrated transport management and hospitality service was required for the occasion, this original competition was discontinued and those who had submitted tenders were accordingly advised.
