Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason, when State bodies are putting out tender documents for services, companies providing tenders are requested to provide evidence that they have completed three large public or private contracts in the past three years and the request for tender then states that at least one of these contracts must be a public contract; the way he proposes that new companies to the market will tender for such contracts when previous experience is necessary. [42365/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no standard requirement of the type described for companies to tender for public service contracts. A general requirement of this kind would be disproportionate. Contractors performing any public contract must have the necessary technical capacity and expertise. A satisfactory track record and successful completion of projects similar to the one being undertaken can be a valid method of providing evidence of expertise and ability. The general position is that criteria relating to the appropriate level of expertise must be proportionate and relevant to the needs of the particular contract. Current public procurement guidelines to contracting authorities require that they encourage new businesses to apply for smaller public contracts and establish a track record which can enable them to progress to competing for larger contracts.