Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1185. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the public relations consultancy acting for the Land Development Agency is a company (details supplied); if his attention was drawn to this appointment before it was made; and his views on whether there is a conflict of interest in this relationship in view of the fact the company has other residential developers on its books. [8679/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe day to day management of the Land Development Agency (LDA) , including procurement of services, is a matter for the Chief Executive and his management team reporting to the LDA Interim Board. The LDA is not required to inform me before it procures such services.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
In order to assist the Deputy, the LDA have supplied the following information to my Department. The LDA stated that they previously tendered for media and communication services and that this tender process was carried out in accordance with the EU Public Directive 2014/24/EU. Within the documentation issued, all tenderers were requested to fully disclose any conflict of interest in their tender submission. Evidence of existing clients was included with the tender and the LDA evaluation team did not determine a conflict of interest existed between the successful tenderer and the work of the LDA.
