Council wait on adopting Ethical Procurement Policy

Cavan County Council says it is waiting on advice before considering any proposal to adopt an Ethical Procurement Policy that would rule out buying goods and services, particularly those produced in illegally occupied territories.

Sinn Féin's Stiofán Conaty, who has separately backed legislation banning the importation of goods produced on settlements in illegally occupied Palestinian territory, submitted a private member's question asking the council executive to update its position on the matter.

Cllr Conaty has also, in past meetings, accused the Irish government of helping to finance Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza through the sale of so-called 'war bonds'.

The question was posed by the Ballyhaise man ahead of the July monthly meeting of elected members, with the Cavan County Council executive informing him that the local authority endeavours to ensure that tender processes are consistent with Government policy on public procurement.

“We are still waiting on guidelines to be issued from the [Office of Government Procurement] for procurement policies, in line with the sentiments raised by yourself,” said the written response from the council to Cllr Conaty. “This matter has been raised; however, national guidelines and policies have not yet been issued to the Local Authorities.”

“By adopting an ethical procurement policy this council will be able to implement a process to exclude businesses and companies involved in human rights and international law violations when tendering bids,” Cllr Conaty said in a statement to the Celt after the response was received. “It ensures that we do not financially aid businesses and companies investing in or complicit in human rights abuses.”

He said that Sinn Féin “deplores” that any business should profit from protracted armed conflict and systematic violations of human rights, or that local councils would be in any way “potentially, directly, or indirectly”, complicit with such profiteering.

“Seemingly small and insignificant acts can have a ripple effect on the international stage and we must now follow up our words with real and meaningful action. I point towards the BDS Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, where ordinary people are refusing to purchase goods or services from some of the worst offending corporations benefiting from the Palestinian genocide. It is time now that we as local elected representatives follow the lead taken by ordinary people in our communities,” he said.

“Whether it be the Zionist Israeli terrorist state in Palestine or the Russian invaders of Ukraine, Cavan County Council should have nothing whatsoever to do with goods or services which come from companies associated with these regimes, and we should have no hand act nor part in beefing up the the profits of corporations who are complicit in crimes against humanity,” Cllr Conaty added.