Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
264. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within her Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45161/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of procurement, the Infrastructure Guidelines/Public Spending Code published by the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation sets out the obligations applying to each department in spending public money. This includes obligations at all stages of the expenditure lifecycle, from initial appraisal, through management and monitoring, to post-expenditure review and evaluation, and applies to both capital and current spending.
The Department of Defence follows the principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts in accordance with national and EU Regulations, including specific EU Regulations for procurement of defensive equipment, and in line with Office of Government Procurement guidelines where relevant.
Within my Department’s financial management system, there are limited and controlled circumstances in which a purchase order may be raised without direct reference to a specific contract or framework agreement. Such instances are generally confined to clearly defined situations, with all procurement expenditure supported by an appropriate authorising arrangement. This can take the form of a prior procurement process, an approved financial sanction, or another formally documented approval, in accordance with public procurement obligations and internal procedures.
Departmental procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure adherence to Office of Government Procurement advice and value for money principles.
