Written answers

Tuesday, 13 June 2006

Department of Finance

Public Service Contracts

9:00 pm

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22340/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government in mid 2004 decided to reform construction procurement so as to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more cost effective delivery of public works projects. My Department, with the assistance of the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC), specialist legal drafters and external technical expertise, has developed a suite of Standard Forms of Construction Contract and Conditions of Engagement for Construction Related Services, e.g. architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, to give effect to the Government decision.

In relation to the Standard Forms of Construction Contract I am aware of the concerns raised in the correspondence supplied as my officials have had extensive consultations with the construction industry on these and other issues related to the new Contracts over the last year. During these comprehensive discussions and communications, the views, comments and concerns of the construction industry, including those in the correspondence supplied have been outlined in considerable detail. My officials have sought to address all these concerns, where appropriate, within the context of the Government decision. It is not, however, possible nor appropriate to accept all the points raised by the industry. We are now in the final stages of the consultation process which it is expected to be brought to a close very shortly. We will then be proceeding to the next phase of the implementation which is a comprehensive training programme for public sector practitioners to ensure that the new arrangements are used appropriately across the public sector.

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