Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In regard to any contract in a Department, there is the criteria set down by the Department of Finance, the Cabinet book and directives that cover what Ministers or departmental sections can do in the promotion of any campaign. There is also the Government contracts committee. All of these lay down the rules. The issue in the Quigley report dealt with a PR communications area where there is a significant element of direct service to a Minister or where a Minister is suggesting the name of a person or enterprise for a consultancy contract. In that case the Quigley report recommended a strengthening of the guidelines in the Department of Finance and in the Government contracts committee. It also stated, to remove doubt, that the Secretary General of a Department would have to arbitrate in a first case. If he or she was in any doubt, it was permissible within the guidelines that it would be referred to the Government secretariat, which regularly arbitrates on issues that fall within the Government handbook or Government guidelines. For a normal contract, a departmental section or agency must comply with the guidelines of the Department of Finance and the contracts committee. These documents require rigorous compliance. No one can tender for a contract without fulfilling the requirements of the guidelines.

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