Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

199. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public tenders that require photographic images must be provided in hard copy in addition to digital format; and his views on whether this leads to increased cost for tenderers and therefore the State. [6236/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Office of Government Procurement, OGP, is responsible for developing and setting out the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. This framework enables a more consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector by setting out the procurement procedures to be followed by public bodies. While the OGP sets out the policy framework, responsibility for adhering to these procedures rests with the individual contracting authorities.

Contracting authorities are encouraged to promote electronic procurement. However, there is no specific requirement in the procurement rules that require photographic images to be provided in hardcopy in addition to digital format. This is a matter for individual contracting authorities who determine the appropriate requirements for their competitions having regard the key principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, proportionality and transparency.