Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are two sides to Government procurement. The Department wants to achieve value for money but there is a possible negative knock-on effect for a local suppliers. Members of the Irish School Art Supply Federation came before this committee and they were very concerned about this. My colleague, Deputy Connaughton, will deal with that. Mr. Watt believes his Department has a good record and good and ambitious targets, and I am happy to hear that. Would he consider taking in the issue across the public service of procurement of professional services and medicine? I have said this several times. The Department of Health has shown its incompetence at negotiating good prices in this area. It seems slightly afraid to tackle the drug suppliers because they are getting grants and are here providing employment. Would the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform consider taking on the purchase of medicines to get better value for money for the taxpayer and the issue of professional fees? Is it on Mr. Watt's horizon to do both of those?