Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be fair, these public procurement packages are to do with what Deputy Lawlor has spoken about. They are there to give contracting authorities more choice over procurement procedures, provided they are open to applications from anyone. Obviously, an effort is being made to encourage the use of electronic procurement, which makes it easier to procure within a member state and across member states. Flexibility is being provided to take into account lifecycle costs, the requirement that works, supplies or services bear specific labels or environmental, social or other characteristics, provided they also accept equivalent labels.

The EU requirement is that there will be a level playing pitch for whoever is pitching for the business. At the same time, it recognises that SMEs need to be given access, so it also includes provisions to encourage authorities to divide larger contracts into lots and the removal of unjustified barriers to SME participation and the removal of turnover requirements that are set too high. Like us and member states, the Commission is anxious that smaller companies get a better chance to make their pitch. However, the Commission obviously does not support something that would insulate Kildare, say, from competition from somewhere else in Europe.