Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand why it is necessary for companies that are tendering to have some level of track record because one wants to work with companies that will still be in existence while the contract is under way. We are regularly in contact with small businesses. I believe the Small Firms Association reckons that about 60% of people it surveyed indicated that they have had very negative experiences regarding public procurement in this State. We are talking about the development of the local enterprise offices as part of the new enterprise structure. We finally got some interaction between small enterprises and the development of the local enterprise offices. What role do small enterprises have in the design and culture within the OPW regarding tender contracts? Does the OPW work regularly with ISME and the Small Firms Association? Does it meet with groups to examine how tenders can be structured to make them small business-friendly?