Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004
166 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the Government plans to offer its own telecom service requirements to the industry, in such a way as to ensure that the citizens and businesses of Ireland, as well as the Government itself, benefit through competition to Eircom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4340/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Government bodies comply with EU procurement law by sourcing their telecommunication services requirements through open procurement competitions. As a result of taking this competitive approach, Government bodies currently avail of services provided by all of the major telecommunications companies offering services in Ireland.
The Government's virtual private network, VPN, which facilitates a range of telecommunications services, including secure interconnectivity between public bodies, was awarded to a consortium comprising Eircom and Vodafone Ireland in 2002 on foot of an open EU procurement exercise. The VPN contract ensures that the public service receives maximum value for money and substantial savings in its telecommunications expenditure as a result of the significant discounts available. Because of this, all other major providers have also reduced their costs to public service bodies. Although fixed voice services and data services relating to e-Government are mandatory under the VPN contract, all other services are entirely at the discretion of individual bodies. Consequently, my Department has ensured that all other major telecommunications service providers can connect to the Government VPN to allow for the maximum competition in the provision of these services to public bodies.
The contract is proactively managed by my Department. In addition, my Department hasput in place a support and advisory serviceto help public bodies avail of thebest telecommunications solutions for their requirements at best price points by actively encouraging the use of competitive measures in sourcing such solutions.
