Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

It is my understanding that the DAA did not participate in the pre-qualification competition and was not asked to do so. It seems the DAA was effectively taken into the winners' enclosure while others were excluded. Why was the authority not required to take part in the pre-qualification procedures? In respect of those companies that did partake in the process, did the consultants make any recommendations? The Minister indicated that none of the applicants qualified, but did the consultants make a judgment as to whether any of the companies, despite not qualifying, had the capacity to deliver the requirements they did not meet on technical grounds?

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