Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has given direction to local authorities entering major development contracts to use carbon neutral cement. [6997/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department issued a circular to Local Authorities in November 2006 urging them to consider how they can contribute generally to the protection of the environment and promote sustainable development when procuring public infrastructure. With regard to Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 which was transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 of 22 June 2006, the circular referred to the potential for incorporating environmental considerations into the tender process; this could include encouraging prospective tenderers to address such considerations by utilising particular materials provided such action complies with all applicable procedures and standards. The attention of the authorities was drawn to the availability of the above regulations on www.etenders.gov.ie and to the EU handbook "Buying Green — A Handbook on Environmental Public Procurement".