I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
Sixteen companies tendered for the supply, installation and commissioning of a Garda CCTV system in Cork city centre.
The tenders were evaluated by the Garda telecommunications section using the following criteria as specified in the request for tender document. These were as follows: price, the overall cost of provision of the system including all mandatory items; availability and cost of desirable options; future development potential of system; supplier background-experience and quality and cost of support offered.
The costs of carrying out civil works was not a criteria in the evaluation process as the associated costs were contingent on the availability of the ducts and the identification of each cable route by the successful tenderer.
Following the evaluation process, the successful tender recommended was that submitted by SKS Communications Limited. The cost quoted was IR£483,188, including VAT. My Department subsequently obtained the approval of the Department of Finance for the expenditure of this money on the Cork CCTV project and the approval of the Government contracts committee for the awarding of the contract to SKS Communications Limited. Approval for the provision of an additional amount of IR£100,000 for the civil works associated with this project, i.e., ducting, re-instatement of roads-footpaths and provision of ESB supplies, was also received from the Department of Finance at this time.