Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the turnover threshold conditions being placed on tenders in view of the financial pressure facing many small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22422/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Finance does not specify turnover thresholds for businesses applying for public contracts. While public authorities must be satisfied as to the technical and financial capacity of those to whom they award public contracts, the general guidance is that pre-qualification criteria must be proportionate and relevant to the needs of the contract. It is a matter for each authority to specify the criteria having regard to what is necessary and appropriate in each case. It would be contrary to public procurement rules to set requirements that are disproportionate or are otherwise over-restrictive.