Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014
151. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the eligibility criteria for applying for the contract to install water meters; the number of bids received; if he is satisfied that all bidders were fully tax-compliant at the time of making their bids; the timeline by which the tendering process was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45489/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bórd Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme.
Four regional main contractors covering eight meter regions were appointed by Irish Water following a public tendering process. All of the contracts were advertised in December 2013 and awarded in full compliance with EU public procurement rules in July 2013. I understand from Irish Water that seventeen interested parties returned Pre-Qualification Questionnaires and, following the evaluation of these pre-qualification questionnaires, eight contractors successfully reached tender stage. However two contractors withdrew, thereby leaving six contractors tendering for the eight regional areas. The contracts were awarded to four contractors on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender criterion.
It was a condition of the award of the contract that the successful tenderer produces promptly a Tax Clearance Certificate, or in the case of a non-resident, a statement from the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland confirming suitability on tax grounds.
