Jack Wall
Ceist:167 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the ethical standards, if any, applied by his Department in the operation of its arms and materiel procurement policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Defensive equipment is acquired for the Defence Forces in accordance with national procedures relating to public procurement. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders which are assessed on the basis of obtaining best value for money by the Department. Invitations to tender provide that the Minister is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender. United Nations and European Union trade embargoes which may be in force from time to time are observed.