Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the place from which his Department sources its meat supplies; and if he will confirm that all meat provided to the Army, Navy and Air Corps is produced here [17593/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This was a question the answer to which we chewed over.

The current contract for the supply of meat products to the Defence Forces is held by Crossgar Food Services Limited, County Down.

The award of the contract in 2010 followed an open tender competition, which was advertised on the Department of Finance's e-tender website and which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The significant factor in the award of the contract at the time related to cost. The annual value of the contract is in the region of €800,000.

The contract provides for the supply of a wide range of meat products, including beef and bacon, to all major military installations. This current contract will run to 31 December 2011. It is expected that a new open tender competition will be advertised on the e-tenders site later this year with respect to the supply of meat in 2012 and beyond.

I am advised that the meat products supplied by Crossgar Food Services Limited are traceable, fully quality assured and fully certified in all respects meeting all Irish and EU requirements. A very significant proportion of the meat supplied by Crossgar, 90% in total, is sourced on the island of Ireland. Predominantly all of the beef is sourced from farms in the Republic of Ireland. This includes both the rearing of animals and the slaughtering taking place in the Republic of Ireland, with the actual processing taking place in Northern Ireland.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The Defence Forces advise that the level of service provided by Crossgar Food Services Limited has been very good with meat products of excellent quality provided under the contract.

The Defence Forces are obliged to carry out the procurement of food products in an open and transparent manner and in line with national and EU public procurement legislation. The Defence Forces have absolutely no discretion in this regard. Adherence to these rules is important, because in general the open market is of benefit to Irish producers as it provides access to markets throughout Europe.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for the information. I will pass it on to the constituent who wanted me to find out.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Deputy to thank his constituent for smoking out that response.