Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and identity of contracts or procurements approved, signed, entered into or otherwise committed to in the past 12 months; if normal procedures and requirements were followed in each case; the exceptions that were recommended and by whom; if recommendations were made by groups, bodies, agencies or individuals with whom Government Departments, State or semi-State agencies have current or previous associations; if all such projects or procurements were fully advertised and assessed and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In its contracts and procurements, the Department complies with all applicable national and EU rules as set out in the Department of Finance guidance document "Public Procurement Guidelines- Competitive Process". Any departure from the normal procedures would only arise in certain limited situations which are recognised and permitted by the EU Directive and national rules. The Department has established a Procurement Unit to oversee compliance with these national and EU rules and to promote best practice and the achievement of value for money.

Given the number and variety of these contracts and procurements, I regret that it would not be feasible to provide the Deputy with detailed information regarding all such undertakings over the past twelve months. The majority of these procurements were low-value, routine purchases of small quantities of goods.

In the period since 1 January 2006, the Department has published 24 calls for tenders in respect of contracts whose value exceeded the relevant EU or national thresholds. Details can be found on the etenders website (www.etenders.gov.ie ). Eight of these tender notices were also advertised in the Official Journal of the EU.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Comptroller and Auditor General requires each Department to submit an annual report in respect of contracts above €25,000 which have been awarded without a competitive process. I understand that, for the year ending on 31 December 2006, this Department had only one such contract which was awarded by direct negotiation without being advertised. I understand that this contract involved the provision of secure communications technology which, for security purposes and for reasons connected with patents and exclusive rights, was deemed to come within the limited, exceptional circumstances permitted by the EU Directive and national rules.