Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My reading of the letter from the Office of Government Procurement is that there is a procedure in place but if a project is specific and unique and does not fall within the routine terms, it can seek a "derogation" from going through the normal procedures. Mr. Quinn's letter says that a derogation, if agreed, does not approve the approach or strategy of the contracting authority but simply acknowledges that the circumstances are such to warrant a different approach to the usual, standard approach. It goes on to say that it is a matter for the contracting and sanctioning authorities - with whom we will be meeting shortly - to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy of the approach with regard to compliance with procurement rules and to ensure that the project procurement is in accordance with the public spending code. The contracting authority is still fully responsible for everything even if it has a derogation-----