asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline, in the form of a tabular statement, the extent to which he requires compliance in the case of major road building projects with each of the recommendations A to Q of the Report of the Working Group on Cost Over-Runs on Public Construction Contracts.
Written Answers. - Road Building Contracts.
79.
The position regarding compliance with the recommendations in the report of the working groups is set out in the following tabular statement in so far as the recommendations are appropriate to the multi-annual civil engineering roads programme. More detailed relevant information is contained in the Operational Programme for Road Development (PL 6482), copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library.
Statement
|
Recommendation |
Position |
|
A |
Complied with. |
|
B |
Complied with. |
|
C |
In the case of the overall road programme, various studies of needs have been undertaken. Individual major projects within the programme are subject to cost/benefit analysis. The programme itself is dictated by priorities and cash flow considerations. Consultants are engaged for specific stages of projects, with no guarantee of appointment for subsequent stages. |
|
D |
Formal committees have not been established. Local authorities and the Department assess the feasibility of individual road projects within the overall programme. |
|
E |
Studies/reports concerning the overall programme have been published.Feasibility studies in respect of individual projects are not published but details are available to the public in the context of public inquiries compulsory purchase orders and motorway schemes. |
|
F |
Complied with. |
|
G |
Not directly relevant to the multi-annual road programme. Only those projects assessed under C and D are advanced to design stage. |
|
H |
Complied with. |
|
I |
Complied with. |
|
J |
Complied with. |
|
K |
Complied with. |
|
L |
Complied with as follows. Final approval of the project and subsequent cceptance of tenders is subject to the sanction of the Department. Major road schemes are funded by way of State road grant and not by borrowing by the local authority. Major road schemes form part of a multi-annual programme which is generally approved by the Government. |
|
M |
In civil engineering contracts such as roads, the administration of the contract is vested in “The Engineer” under the conditions of contract. “The Engineer” is responsible for supervising the work and determining payments to be made to the contractor including additional payments arising from the price fluctuation clause and remeasurement of quantities. “The Engineer”is required to notify the local authority of all variations having significantcost implications for the project. The local authority is then required to seek sanction for additional works over and above those specified in the contract. In accordance with the current national programme of community interest for roads, progress on major road schemes is vetted by a monitoring committee on which the Department of Finance is represented. |
|
N |
Complied with. |
|
O |
Complied with. |
|
P |
Complied with. |
|
Q |
Not appropriate. The booklet mentioned applies to building work as distinct from civil engineering works. |