Louis J. Belton
Ceist:134 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Defence if all suppliers to his Department comply with EU regulations. [18724/01]
Written Answers. - Supplier Contracts.
The procurement directives issued by the European Commission are concerned with the award of contracts by public bodies. They are framed with the intention of allowing as much competition as possible so as to maximise participation by interested suppliers. As such, they set out rules for the behaviour of contracting authorities in the procurement process. The onus is therefore on the contracting authorities rather than the suppliers to comply with these directives. In this connection contracts are placed by my Department in accordance with Government contracts procedures and, as necessary, European Commission directives.