Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2011
165 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the unsuccessful tenderers for the recent awarding of the Heir Island ferry contract; if he will outline in detail the criteria the unsuccessful tenderers didn’t meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25551/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra166 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the recent awarding of the ferry contract for Heir Island off west Cork, the conditions required for the provision of a relief boat as part of the tender process; if it is required to be of a particular size; if it is required to be available for a minimum period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25552/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the tendering process is not complete until the contract is awarded. With regard to information regarding the fulfilling of the award criteria, any party to the process may contact my Department where they will receive a full debriefing on their tender and their scores in relation to the criteria as outlined in the tender documents. With regard to the conditions required for the provision of a relief boat, the vessel must meet the requirements of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the transportation of passengers, including all provisions relating to seaworthiness and the certification thereof. The operator must also ensure that arrangements are in place to have a back-up vessel available when the main vessel is out of service.
