Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will set out, in respect of Government Departments, State controlled banks and State agencies, any contracts for the provision of services by a company (details supplied); if he will quantify the value of such contracts and set out the safeguards in place to avoid conflicts should that company set out to buy the assets of State controlled banks. [23628/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department does not have any contracts with the companies referred to by the Deputy. With regard to contracts entered into by the bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an administrative matter for each agency. This information is not collated centrally by my Department. The Deputy should be aware, however, that the procurement of goods, works and services by bodies under the aegis of my Department is carried out in conformity with the EU Treaty principles of non-discrimination, equal treatment, transparency, mutual recognition, proportionality, freedom to provide service and freedom of establishment. All bodies under the aegis of my Department are aware of the need to achieve value for money while conducting procurement in a fair, open and transparent manner that is fully compliant with the EU Procurement Directives and national procurement policies and guidelines. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies outlines the responsibilities of state bodies in this regard and my Department regularly updates the aegis bodies on developments in relation to public procurement policy and practices.