71 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Finance the reason it was considered necessary to use a restricted tendering procedure in selecting the firms for the review of the Government Supplies Agency. [15008/96]

72 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Finance if he will name the firms selectively chosen to tender for the review of the Government Supplies Agency; and the criteria used to decide which firms should be invited to tender. [15009/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. The Commissioners of Public Works invited tenders from three firms in the public and private sectors to carry out a review of the Government Supplies Agency and to identify immediate steps which can be taken to improve efficency.

The tendering procedure was restricted to these firms as they were considered to have the necessary experience in the procurement area to advise on how the GSA should adopt the best practices prevailing in the public and private sectors.

It is not open to me, under the current guidelines on procurement, to name the firms invited to tender.