Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the decision of the Education Procurement Service to issue a tender (details supplied) for the national supply of library books and audio visual material, which includes a requirement to use software currently not available here and thereby discriminated against Irish companies in the tender requirements. [3264/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The provision of public library services, including the procurement of books, is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. Local Authorities are under the remit of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and as such my Department has no role in these matters.

I am informed that a national tender for book stock procurement is being progressed by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of local authorities. The Request for Tender was published on the 'e-Tenders' website in October 2016 and the process is expected to conclude shortly. The LGMA has confirmed that the process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and in full compliance with all regulations, policies and guidelines governing public procurement in Ireland. There was no discrimination against any supplier. Indeed, the publication of the tender in six lots sought to ensure equality of opportunity for all suppliers.

I also understand that the tender process is ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the process or the outcome at this time.