Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I stated in my reply, I inquired whether a centralised solution was available that would achieve the objectives of improving efficiency, eliminating duplication and implementing cost savings. A tender was issued for a centralised Government contract for the provision of a press cutting and media monitoring service for all Departments. However, when the tenders were received it turned out to be a more expensive option than letting the Departments provide it for themselves. The accommodation of all the needs of every Department in one tender from a single organisation turned out to be less viable than allowing Departments to work individually and collect the information particular to that Department. This may be surprising but that has been the outcome.

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