Vol. 560 No. 2
41 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance if it is the policy of the Office of Public Works to consider tenders for public contracts only from companies that are IDA approved; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that preference is given to such companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2218/03]
The Office of Public Works secures contracts with a large number of companies annually for the provision of a wide range of requirements in construction, property, facilities, materials and other services. A majority of these companies are Irish-based or owned. Their services are procured by the Office of Public Works acting as agents for the Government and a broad range of public service customers.
A broad range of evaluation criteria is employed which may include some or all of the following: cost; experience in the market concerned; quality of the product or service; financial stability; tax status of the entity concerned; capacity to meet the requirements of the contract; and availability at the time required. Other criteria may be dictated in particular situations as appropriate.
In sourcing these requirements, the Office of Public Works operates in accordance with guidelines set out by the Government Contracts Committee. They do not operate a policy of preferring tenders for public contracts only from IDA approved companies, since such a proviso would not alone be contrary to GCC regulations but would also be in conflict with national and European law in respect of both competition and public procurement.
