Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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372. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the due diligence processes, including reviews or analysis of professional conduct, competence and background, including allegations of misconduct, that is conducted prior to the appointment of legal advisers to public bodies, including the Standards in Public Office Commission. [25861/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Standards in Public Office Commission (SiPOC) is an independent statutory body and, as such, is not accountable to me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, or to the Government in the performance of its functions.  I am informed, however, that the Office of the Ombudsman provides the administrative support to SiPOC in terms of HR, ICT and financial services including procurement.

I am also informed that the Office of the Ombudsman has in place a framework agreement for the provision of legal services, as is the case with a number of public bodies. These agreements are established on foot of rigorous procurement processes which ensure that service providers have the necessary skills and expertise to provide the requisite legal services, whilst also ensuring value for money is achieved. At the conclusion of a procurement process, a contract is put in place with the successful provider. It is for that provider to engage and verify the qualifications of its staff in order to fulfil its contractual responsibilities. 

The procurement process for legal services, and all other procurement processes carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman, fall for scrutiny by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the course of its audit of the Office of the Ombudsman's Appropriation Account.