I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 138 and 139 together.
My Department awards contracts for goods and services having regard to public procurement guidelines.
Where interviews are held to assist in determining the award of consultancy projects, a team of departmental personnel is established to conduct the interviews. The personnel concerned are selected in the light of the knowledge and expertise necessary for evaluating the different proposals before the Department. In certain cases, personnel of the Department are assisted in this process by officials of bodies operating under the aegis of the Department. Personnel of other Departments and, in the case of EU cofinanced technical assistance programmes the relevant external evaluators, have also assisted the Department from time to time.
The additional information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy at an early date.