Mr. Paul Quinn:

I believe the number to be significantly less based on the information we have seen. Our analysis continues to show that over 90% of the spend is within the State. Over the coming months, we need to be in a position to publish data to give a much more detailed answer in respect of this. From my perspective, it is not about refuting it. It is simply around clarifying how the money is actually spent because having looked at and analysed the data and having been involved in the procurement space in the State for about 20 months, I have a good feel for where the money is spent within the system. I do not believe that it is 28% or anything like it but I need to be in a position to stand over the numbers that we provide to the Oireachtas, the public and the stakeholders within the system. I share the frustration in respect of not being in a position to give a definitive answer but at this moment, I cannot do so. However, I can indicate that in the coming months, we will be able to give a substantially better answer.

In my opinion, we will never be in a position to completely answer where every cent is spent because public bodies range from the large Departments and agencies like the Departments of Social Protection and Agriculture, Food and the Marine right down to the one-room school on Tory Island. They are all part of the public arena of spend. Some of them do not have systems. We will get to a point where we will be confident that we have detail in respect of 80% to 90% of our spend and that is the intention.