Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

If the Deputy is interested in an explanation, I will strive to give one. Perhaps in this case a false assessment was made as to what was a works tender, which would allow a €5 million ceiling, and what was a services tender, which would allow a ceiling of €154,000. Obviously, the report will come forward with some explanation of that issue.

The terms of reference are to assess the procedures applied to the procurement of audio-visual services from this particular company; to assess the procedures applied to the procurement of audio-visual and translation equipment and services for the 2004 EU Presidency; to assess the risks associated with the procurement of other goods and services within Dublin Castle and to evaluate the underlying procedures and controls; to make recommendations on improvements to procedures for the procurement in Dublin Castle to ensure they are conducted in a fully transparent and fair manner and that adequate procedures and controls are in place to safeguard the integrity of the procurement process; to document the outside business interests and relationships, including directorships, of the individual and to consider the extent to which these may have represented a conflict of interest with regard to procurement of audio-visual services having regard to national and EU procurement regulations. The terms are definitive. I await the outcome of the report.

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