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OPW Minister Brian Hayes today launched a Standardised Suite of Procurement Documents.

Launching the documents, the Minister said:

I am launching a comprehensive suite of legal documentation for use by public service procurers when going to the market to purchase goods and services.  This work was completed in conjunction with many players in the public and private sector. These documents are designed to bring maximum clarity and transparency to the procurement process.

For a country that faces a budget deficit of 18bn euro this year we have to move in the direction of central purchasing.  I cannot emphasise enough the importance of all officials embracing the opportunities afforded by central purchasing.  The National Procurement Service has put in place in excess of 40 contracts and frameworks with a total value of €414 million since 2009. Aggregating public sector contracts delivers significant savings for the Irish taxpayer on all fronts.

In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for both Procurement and for Public Service Reform I want to clearly say that this situation cannot continue.  I have asked my officials to report to me on the number of public bodies who are refusing to purchase centrally. I will be asking my colleagues in Government to ensure that where they have responsibility for such public bodies that they remove any such wayward practices.