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

Mr. Quinn stated that there would be winners and losers in this process. I have no problem with that when there is change, but the SME sector is afraid that the winner will be a large, global company with unbelievable resources that can make a crazily low bid for a public procurement contract, blowing everyone else out of the water. That winner would not give a hang for Irish jobs and so on. The Department is focused on making savings. Consider the Irish School Arts Supply Federation, which supplies small schools. It cannot compete at that level. Mr. Quinn mentioned helping SMEs to understand better how public procurement works. Understanding is not the issue. Rather, they cannot tender competitively. How will the Department make it possible for them?

What quality controls does the Department have in place in respect of the services being procured? The arts supply federation works with many schools and has built up commitments and relationships. A school knows it will get value for money and quality and there is an after-sales element. Although schools may get the same products and services more cheaply from now on, what else will they get?