Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Departmental Contracts

10:00 am

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will deal with a matter (details supplied). [30796/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's largest print requirements are for passport application forms and passport booklets. Both of these contracts are currently held by Irish companies with all technical and production facilities located in Ireland.

However, in accordance with Irish law (which gives effect to Ireland's international obligations in these matters), these contracts are tendered periodically and are open to competition from suppliers in all EU/EEA countries as well as suppliers from countries that are parties to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).

I appreciate that this is a competitive challenge to Irish companies. However, under the same agreements, there is an equivalent entitlement for Irish companies to compete for a vast range of public sector contracts in all EU countries as well as in all GPA countries. This is an opportunity that is in our national economic interests as an exporting economy to pursue. Details on how to access opportunities in international public sector markets can be found on my Department's website and the Deputy can be assured that my Department, including at embassies abroad, will be happy to assist Irish companies in pursuing procurement opportunities.

In the case of smaller print jobs (for reports, stationery etc) my Departments makes use of drawdown contracts that have been put in place by the Government Procurement Service of the Office of Public Works, and I understand that Irish companies have been awarded all such work.

My Department's missions abroad have occasional small print requirements and it is more economically advantageous to source such requirements locally.

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