Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 41: To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if he will provide a list of all printing and package contracts awarded in 2009; the value of each contract and the company to which it was given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25406/10]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Neither my Department nor the Offices of my Department, which manage their own procurement requirements, awarded any significant printing contracts in 2009. For the purposes of procurement of printing services in 2009 the Department and the Offices of the Department relied mainly on the Government Supplies Agency and National Procurement Service for the tendering and procurement of printing services. This service is provided principally by means of drawdown contracts, which sets out prices, terms and conditions under which supplies are delivered. The Department and the Offices of the Department purchased, as required, from the appointed contractors in 2009. I am circulating in the official record as part of this reply a tabular statement which sets out the details of all such purchases in 2009.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is the second time this session I have been promised a tabular statement. I am sure the relevant tabular statement has been already prepared. Would it not have been reasonable to provide Members with a copy of it for Question Time? Perhaps the Minister of State will do so now. I do not understand how I might ask follow-up questions based on the promise of a tabular statement.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is the idea.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is disrespectful.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy has made a valid point. I will raise with the Office of the Ceann Comhairle the matter of circulating tabular statements at the time a question is being answered.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I appreciate that. This is an important issue. There is concern among the industry that small print contractors in particular are not being given a fair opportunity to tender for Government work. I would like to know how the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, which is supposed to support Irish industry within European rules, behaves but I cannot ask a follow-up question because I have not received the relevant tabular statement.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If the Minister of State has no objection, I could circulate a copy of the tabular statement to Deputy Varadkar in order to allow him to ask a supplementary question.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes, there is nothing in it that is not available on the record. I apologise for the Deputy not receiving the tabular statement with his reply. If the Deputy wishes I will supply him with a copy of it now.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will take a question from Deputy Morgan and then come back to Deputy Varadkar.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister of State aware of the perception that exists that a very large number of contracts, not alone in respect of printing, are being awarded abroad? Is he considering ways of improving awareness among businesses who deal in that capacity to tender for such contracts? The same is happening in respect of school building and other contracts. Often when contracts are big, operators here are not in a position to tender for them. Can contracts be segmented? Has the Minister of State considered the possibility of his Department segmenting some of the procurement contracts? We need to as creative and realistic as possible given the current environment.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputies will note form the now circulated tabular statement that some of the contracts awarded are small. One contract awarded to Print Stations was for business cards, letterheads and complimentary slips at a cost of €258. Another contract awarded to New Oceans was for information booklets, headed stationery and business cards at a cost of €13,785. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation does not award large contracts and relies in the main on the Government Supplies Agency and National Procurement Service in this regard.

A review of tendering and procurement in regard to State contracts is ongoing. We are all aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in terms of accessing contracts owing to the change in environment or in their individual circumstances. It may be that a particular person does not have recognised skill capabilities having been laid off and set up his or her own business as a result of which he or she may not have a track record in his or her own right. This matter is being examined.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What time-frame is involved?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I stated, the matter is under review. The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, is reviewing that process.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is an important issue, one discussed by the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Deputy Varadkar may have been inspired to table this question having been present for the discussion on this issue by that committee.

There is a perception that printing contractors are losing out hand over fist and that other European competitors are able to devise methods of ensuring they are awarded contracts. Irish contractors believe other European countries are running a coach and four through the rules in this area and that Ireland is being a goody-two-shoes from a European perspective. Not alone are we obeying the rules but we are making them more difficult for our native industry, in particular the printing industry, which is under threat and trying to survive. We are making business extremely difficult for it.

As far as I am aware - I may be wrong on this - the contract for printing of material in respect of the first referendum on the Lisbon treaty was awarded to a company outside Ireland. How can this be justified?

Would the Minister agree that there is a weighting system in awarding contracts? The OPW is deeply involved in this. Could we not ensure that greater weight is given to people who are tried, trusted and reliable and have done jobs in the past? Our native industry, particularly in the printing trade, has tried to secure important and skilled jobs and they are all under threat.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We understand that many businesses are vulnerable, as was referred to by the Minister. I have met and received correspondence from many representatives of the printing industry. However, we must be conscious of another aspect. Many Irish companies are also exporting. Irish companies have contracts connected to the 2012 Olympics in London and several Irish software companies are providing services to councils in the United Kingdom and across the European Union. If we are to be open in one area we must accept the quid pro quo. We must restore competitiveness to our economy and ensure that our companies are competitive.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No one on this side of the House would oppose the rules of the internal market. I will examine the tabular statement provided by the Minister. It gives the names of companies but does not say if they are based in Ireland. In fairness, I did not ask the Minister for that information. I will have to review them.

Does the Department have an internal printing procedure? The Government might save money if it had a Government printing press. Some time ago, Fine Gael began to use its own printing facility in Ballymount, as well as the facilities provided in Leinster House. Has the Government considered having its own printing facilities? Money could be saved in that way without the need to outsource contracts.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A high level group is examining all areas of procurement by the Department to see where efficiencies and savings can be generated. Printing is a specialised business. Some of the contracts are for printing booklets rather than simple letterheads and complimentary slips.

There is a tendering process which is open and transparent. Some of the contracts awarded by the Department are very small. In general, we depend on the National Procurement Service for larger contracts and general provisions to the Department itself. We are conscious of cost savings in the present climate. We can look at all aspects of this matter.