Department awards poultry contract to firm in the North

THE Department of Defence has proven that it pays to shop up North after all, as they agreed to pay €350,000 for fresh poultry products to a company based in Co Down.

Despite calls from the likes of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan for Irish shoppers to do their “patriotic duty” and spend their money this side of the border, the Defence Forces have confirmed that the poultry contract went to Crossgar Foods in Seaforde, Co Down, because it was the cheapest.

The tender award notice indicates that the contract was given to the Northern firm because it offered the lowest price of the nine companies which had expressed an interest.