Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2017
4. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to implement sustainability clauses within the public procurement process in order to incentivise companies engaged in public contracts to act in as sustainable and environmentally friendly manner as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3625/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Procurement is governed by the EU Treaty, EU Directives, Regulations and national guidelines. These set down rules whereby contracting authorities must award contracts under procedures designed to achieve value for public money in an open, transparent and non discriminatory competitive process.
The appropriateness of including sustainability clauses in public procurement projects will vary from contract to contract and is a matter for individual contracting authorities. Comprehensive guidance is available to public authorities assist them in this regard in the "Action Plan on Green Public Procurement", published in 2012, and "Green Procurement Guidance for the Public Sector", published in 2014. These documents identify eight priority areas of procurement activity which are most suitable for inclusion of sustainability clauses including; construction; energy; transport; food and catering services; cleaning products and services; paper; clothing and textiles; information and communications technology. Core criteria and comprehensive criteria are identified across the priority areas for use throughout the procurement process from specification, through to selection and award stages, and through to the contract management stage.
As the Deputy is aware, new EU Directives on Procurement were transposed into Irish Law in May of 2016 and these also provide greater scope and legal clarity in relation to the use of sustainability clauses, including for example on the use of life-cycle costing. The recently published framework for rapid housing for Fingal County Council for example included a provision for whole life costs in the design solutions and proposed a range of sustainability measures including renewable technologies.
Reform of the public procurement function is, and remains, driven by the need to obtain maximum value for public money in procuring works, supplies and services. However, the Government recognises that public procurement provides an important mechanism for moving the market in favour of the provision of more eco-efficient, less environmentally-harmful goods and services. The Irish public sector needs to play an exemplary role in promoting environmental measures throughout its spending. This can also be a driver for innovation and competitiveness in the industrial sector as it promotes the development of new technologies and can provide a competitive advantage for emerging companies in the SME sector.
