Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 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. [29164/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the establishment of my Department in 2002, the relevant State agencies and public bodies that are funded from my Department's Group of Votes or that come within the ambit of my Department, are required to comply with Department of Finance procurement guidelines for goods and services and, where any issues arise in this regard, they are followed up by my Department.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, published by the Department of Finance in 2001, requires all State bodies to comply with national public procurement guidelines and relevant EU Directives. In addition, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or equivalent officer, as appropriate, in each of the relevant bodies is required to confirm compliance with such procurement procedures in an annual report submitted to me, as Minister.

I should also add that the Cross-Border Implementation Bodies within the ambit of my Department operate subject to a Financial Memorandum agreed by the two Departments of Finance, North and South. This Memorandum sets out the rules to be followed in relation to public procurement in both jurisdictions.