Vol. 511 No. 3
224 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the policy of each health board in respect of their meat purchases; if it is the policy of each board to ensure that their meat requirements are Irish produce or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24410/99]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the purchasing policy of each health board in the procurement of meat and poultry products.
Under the terms of the EU Directive Supplies 93/36 as amended by 97/52, contracting authorities must advertise in the official journal of the European Community, OJEC, where the value of these products exceeds the financial thresholds set down in the directive. The current threshold limit is IR £156,318. One of the key principles of the procurement process is that discrimination does not take place on the basis of nationality.
Contracts valued below this threshold must accord with the national guidelines set out in Public Procurement, 1994 Edition issued by the Government Publications Office which clearly states that competitive tendering based on transparency, equity and accountability should always be used.
