Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it his policy to seek discounts when bulk purchasing with public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32789/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that in the matter of bulk purchasing, my Department adheres to its obligations under the EU Directives and National Public Procurement Guidelines. Contracts are generally awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender. Cost is always included as a criterion. Post-tender negotiation is prohibited as it diminishes transparency. The basic procurement principle is that maximum use of transparent competitive open tendering is the best way to get value for money.

My Department is committed to greater use of framework agreements which are now allowed under the directives, to increase competition without adding an undue burden on businesses who wish to quote for Government business. We are also taking steps to streamline and aggregate procurement within my Department and between the Department and other Departments and Agencies to help exploit the relative overall size of Government spend in certain markets. A particularly welcome initiative is the establishment the new public Procurement National Operations unit in the Office of Public Works under the direction of my colleague, Minister of State Mansergh, which affords a welcome opportunity to bring a more coordinated approach to the issue of public sector procurement in Ireland in line with the recent OECD report. My Department will, of course be fully participating in that initiative.