The Irish Government Contracts Committee (GCC)
The GCC assists the Department of Finance in formulating overall policy on public procurement.
It is made up of senior officials in the higher spending Departments (Environment & Local Government, Health & Children, Education and Science, Office of Public works, Defence, Government Supplies Agency, Arts Culture Gaeltacht and the Islands for example).
It is chaired by a Department of Finance representative.
The GCC also adjudicates on contracts being awarded by Central Government Departments in certain circumstances.
This may happen when competitive tendering has not been possible, or where only one valid tender has been received.
It may also take place when it is proposed to award a contract to a tenderer other than the one tendering the lowest price.