Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Defence if human rights or ethical considerations in relation to vendors are taken into account when making purchases for the Defence Forces. [3441/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Army. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders, which are assessed on the basis of obtaining best value for money by the Department of Defence.

The principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equality of treatment are applied to the widest possible extent by my Department to companies interested in supplying such equipment following a tender process.

Tender competitions are held in accordance with the EU Code of Conduct on Export Controls. Accordingly, competitions are open to any individual or country in accordance with the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargos or restrictions.