Water Meters Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Ceisteanna (390, 432, 445)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

390. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the conditions for inclusion on the sub-contractor panel for water metering work is a minimum annual turnover of €400,000; his views on whether this threshold is too high and will deny small-scale operators the opportunity to apply for such work; if he will ensure that this threshold is substantially reduced in line with stated policy on facilitating small and medium enterprises participation in public procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12859/13]

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

432. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the terms of reference used by the water metering system in choosing companies to be included on the panel for the installation of water meters; his views on whether the required €400,000 turnover for the listed years discriminates against small, experienced businesses in favour of bigger businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13037/13]

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

445. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the terms of reference used by the water metering system in choosing companies to be included on the panel for the installation of water meters; his views on whether the required €400,000 turnover for the listed years discriminates against small, experienced businesses in favour of bigger businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13058/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 390, 432 and 445 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 219 of 27 February 2013, which sets out the position in relation to the procurement process. The position is unchanged.

Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 89.