20 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance if he will review Government procurement rules in view of recent breaches. [18710/04]

Procurement rules, both EU and national, are important and I endorse compliance with them by contracting authorities. Compliance is a matter for the relevant Department or public body in the first instance.

I am satisfied with the current rules. They are constantly monitored and are revised as the need arises. Recently my Department, after considerable work over a long period, published updated guidelines on the procurement of supplies and services by public bodies. They were not the result of recent breaches of the rules. The guidelines were issued after consultation with the Government's contracts committee, the Competition Authority, purchasing and materials management officials in most State bodies and other participants in the public procurement market. They reflect newly adopted EU directives on public procurement and give clear simple guidance on rules and procedures designed to achieve best value for public money through an open fair competitive tendering process.