Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming in and outlining some of the issues. I have a couple of queries in relation to contracting. What guarantees are there that the regional contractors will consider employing small subcontractors in local areas? Like many of my colleagues, I have been contacted by smaller contractors who have worked on group water schemes over the years. They are anxious to get involved in this project. Have guarantees been received from the regional contractors that these people will be employed? Will the local authorities have any role in the recruitment process?