"The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a tender to purchase 10,000 men's ties as mementos of Ireland's presidency of the EU, which begins in January.
The tender specifies that the ties must be 100% silk of "classic contemporary design" and in teal and limegreen, the colours of the EU presidency.
Potential suppliers have three weeks to make a pitch for the contract.
The tender documents posted on the eTenders website specifies the ties must be guaranteed against deterioration for at least 12 months from delivery and have to be delivered to the Department by mid-October.
No indication is given of what the Department of Foreign Affairs is willing to pay, but in general tenders posted on the etenders website are valued at around €25,000.
The Department is also seeking tenders for scarves and pins to mark the presidency.
A spokesperson said all the items will be paid for by the State, although he could not say how much they will cost.
A further statement from the Department pointed out that the EU presidency was an opportunity to promote Ireland and to highlight Irish goods and services to a wide audience." (RTE website).
At least we know the government isn't wasting our money.
The tender specifies that the ties must be 100% silk of "classic contemporary design" and in teal and limegreen, the colours of the EU presidency.
Potential suppliers have three weeks to make a pitch for the contract.
The tender documents posted on the eTenders website specifies the ties must be guaranteed against deterioration for at least 12 months from delivery and have to be delivered to the Department by mid-October.
No indication is given of what the Department of Foreign Affairs is willing to pay, but in general tenders posted on the etenders website are valued at around €25,000.
The Department is also seeking tenders for scarves and pins to mark the presidency.
A spokesperson said all the items will be paid for by the State, although he could not say how much they will cost.
A further statement from the Department pointed out that the EU presidency was an opportunity to promote Ireland and to highlight Irish goods and services to a wide audience." (RTE website).
At least we know the government isn't wasting our money.