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Public Procurement Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Ceisteanna (46)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

46. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach if his Department received correspondence from the European Commission public procurement unit last November, or at any point in the past year, following an investigation undertaken into complaints regarding the awarding of the postal code contract by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and if his Department forwarded this correspondence on to that Department. [22404/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The European Commission submitted an enquiry on this matter via the EU Pilot system in August 2012. EU Pilot is a web-based enquiry system which operates on an informal basis between the European Commission and Member States. The system aims to ensure quick responses to enquiries and complaints from citizens and businesses, as well as own-initiative cases from the Commission, concerning questions on the correct interpretation, implementation and application of European Union law for which Member States have primary responsibility.

The EU Affairs and Coordination Division of my Department acts as Central Contact Point for the EU Pilot system. The main role of the Central Contact Point is to assign enquiries to the appropriate Government Department. Once assigned, the relevant Department is responsible for the substance of the response to the enquiry.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, the Commission Directorate General for Internal Market and Services submitted an enquiry on the EU Pilot system on 23 August 2012 which was forwarded by my Department to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources responded to the Commission on 25 October 2012. The Commission notified its acceptance of the response and closure of the case on 20 November 2013.

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