Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
605. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all aggregate products currently being supplied to local authorities are sourced from an appropriate CE, Conformité Européenne, mark accredited supplier. [25774/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all aggregate products being used by contractors working on projects being financed either directly or indirectly by his Department are being sourced from a CE, Conformité Européenne, mark accredited supplier. [25775/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.
In purchasing goods and services, including aggregates, local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department are required to comply fully with both national and European Union public procurement rules as set out in guidelines from the Office of Government Procurement within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, the procurement of any goods and services is a matter for the individual contracting authorities.
Under Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC (known as the Construction Products Regulation), manufacturers are required to provide robust and reliable information in a consistent way for construction products which are covered by harmonised European standards or European Technical Assessments. In broad terms, since 1 July 2013, manufacturers are required, when placing a construction product on the market, to make a Declaration of Performance and affix the CE mark to each product being placed on the market.
For many construction products, the application of the CE mark will require the involvement of a third party (known as a ‘notified body’) to undertake certain tasks as specified in the harmonised European standard. These tasks may include activities such as initial type-testing of products, inspection of factory production control and surveillance of factory production control. In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland has also produced additional guidance to some harmonised European standards in the form of National Annexes or Standard Recommendations which set out appropriate minimum performance levels for specific intended uses of certain products in Ireland.
As matters currently stand, there are a number of harmonised European standards, and accompanying Standard Recommendations, in place in respect of aggregates as well as for precast concrete products and masonry products which may require aggregates for their manufacture. In this regard, it is a matter for each individual contracting authority to specify their particular requirements for aggregates in their tender documents and to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the aggregates provided meet their specifications and are suitable for the purpose for which they are intended.
