Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he is confident that all agencies and bodies under his Department's responsibility comply fully with the Department of Finance procurement guidelines for goods and services; if he has sought assurances from the agencies and bodies that this is the case since 2000 to date in 2008; if he has expressed concern to an agency or body that it might be acting inappropriately since 2000 to date in 2008; if so, the agency or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29162/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that the Department of Finance's Government-endorsed Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which sets out, inter alia, applicable principles in relation to public procurement, has been brought to the attention of all the agencies under the aegis of the Department which was established in June 2002. Compliance with the relevant financial procedures including procurement guidelines is a matter for the agencies themselves.

Agencies' internal audit functions are required to ensure that all aspects of corporate governance and financial control are met. The agencies are also liable to audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General on matters relating to their finances and to the procedures and practices operated by them, including those in respect of procurement.

In addition, compliance with the Code of Practice, including its procurement aspects, is monitored by the Department through the normal corporate governance process. This involves, variously, regular liaison meetings with the agencies concerned at which assurances are sought and received in respect of compliance with the procurement procedures, as well as written assurances to that effect, whether in annual reports or otherwise.

In view of the foregoing there has been no requirement to express particular concerns to any agency.