Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the fact that the recent award of a tender for the supply of 18 ministerial/executive vehicles did not include biofuel or hybrid vehicles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some of the cars involved had engine sizes of three litres and are powered by diesel which can produce equally harmful emissions including carbon, and the example that the decision by the State to ignore biofuel and hybrid vehicles in this tender sends to the general public about more sustainable choices in motoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23021/07]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the ministerial and Government fleet is converted to environmentally friendly and more fuel efficient alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23053/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 112 together.

The Government Supplies Agency (GSA), which is a Business Unit of the Office of Public Works, provides a procurement service to Government Departments, Offices and Agencies for a range of goods and services including vehicles. Procurement is organised by way of public tender competitions, with contracts being awarded to the most economically advantageous tenders in each category of vehicle. Departments, Offices and Agencies purchase their vehicle requirements directly from appointed contractors on the prices, terms and conditions of the GSA contracts. The class or category of vehicle to be purchased in any individual case is a matter for the Department, Office or Agency concerned, having regard to the purposes for which the vehicle is required, the cost of the vehicle and other relevant factors including environmental factors.

It is the policy of the GSA to provide its clients with a range of contracts to meet their varying needs and to include environmentally-friendly options, where available, as an alternative to conventional vehicles. In 2007, for the majority of contracts placed by the GSA, alternative environmentally friendly options are available including hybrid vehicles (with petrol and electric engines) and flexible-fuel vehicles which can run on petrol or bio-ethanol, as well as diesel-engined vehicles which have the capacity for the inclusion of biodiesel in the fuel mixture. I am satisfied that this balanced approach provides the necessary flexibility, allowing clients to buy environmentally friendly vehicles where appropriate, while having the option of conventional vehicles.

The recent contracts for the supply of diesel-engined vehicles form a part of the procurement process for vehicles for the Ministerial fleet. Arrangements also exist for the purchase of hybrid vehicles for this fleet.