Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The only reason I raise the issue is that on a broader scale the witness mentioned in her opening remarks the new procurement strategy and cost savings. A number of small business have concerns in regard to the procurement process being followed by the Office of Public Works on the basis that while its directive is to reduce costs and make savings for the State, it is potentially putting them out of business. Anybody looking at this has to follow these very strict new procurement rules and yet this was going on. From a leadership perspective, how would the witness equate that back to those people under new procurement rules?