Mr. Robert Watt:

No, that is across the entire system, the whole public service, which has a procurement spend of between €9.5 billion and €10 billion, and we believe we can make more savings. If one looks at framework contracts that were entered into for electricity, gas and other services, one sees that we are making very significant savings. The State needs to use its monopsony power more and it is crazy that it does not do so. That is what we are embarking on and that will save money. Ultimately, what we save can be used to improve services elsewhere. The aim is to improve services all the time. Members of this committee and all Members of these Houses call for more spending on a variety of services all the time.

There is an obligation on the State to procure in the most efficient way and that is what we are trying to do. I am aware that there are challenges, that some sectors lose out and some companies lose out. In most cases the business goes to another company employing people in this economy, so there is not an overall loss to the economy, but there is an impact for individual companies. I am fully aware of that.