Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept that Ministers breached the public procurement guidelines and the various rules in the handbook prior to the last general election. Ministers must follow the guidelines. There were a few cases outside of election times that were brought to the attention of the Standards in Public Office Commission, which were looked at. I do not believe informing people about the FIS system or the other systems where people at times do not take up their entitlements is in breach of guidelines. It is a good service and I do not believe we should not inform people. That said, it is a regular practice for the Government secretariat to inform Ministers or Departments of the proper practice in relation to the Government handbook and the criteria for following up issues.

To reply to Deputy Rabbitte, in regard to the Quigley report five cases which came within the terms of the guidelines have been processed so far. Two of these related to the appointment of an arts adviser at the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. I approved both of these appointments following appropriate prior consideration by the Government secretariat, the Minister having brought them to the Government secretariat for advice. The other three cases were on investigation by the Government secretariat found not to be within the scope of the guidelines. Those were an IT consultant in the Department of Transport and a PR and communications consultant in both the Department of Transport and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. In those cases they were not within the guidelines but followed the correct criteria. Usually when issues arises, they come under the normal public procurement guidelines and the Government handbook and the Department of Finance rules which are very straightforward.

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