Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

This is a fine report which was produced in exemplary fashion. It is a good example of the expediency that should attach to these types of issues.

On 27 January 2005, the Taoiseach directed that arrangements be made to implement, as appropriate, the recommendations of the Quigley report. I understand that advice to all Departments in regard to the main recommendations of the report will be issued by the Department of the Taoiseach shortly. The specific recommendation addressed to my Department is that it should review and consolidate its internal advice on all aspects of procurement. This recommendation is accepted and will be implemented fully over the coming weeks.

My Department is a large and complex organisation dealing with 3,700 suppliers of a wide range of goods and services. A relatively large number of officers are involved in procurement. Revised procedures are being put in place to strengthen the monitoring and control of procurement and intensive briefing and refresher training is being arranged for all staff involved in this activity. Furthermore, additional resources are being allocated to the Department's internal audit unit and organisation unit. The latter co-ordinates advice and monitoring in regard to procurement activities.

I am confident these arrangements, which will be implemented urgently, will enable my Department to achieve the improvement and consolidation of its procurement arrangements recommended by the excellent Quigley report.

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