Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We want them to more than hold their own. As the Government spends more money as we decentralise procurement and find efficiencies, we want Irish businesses to do well. We have to be mindful of EU directives, but there is also a wider conservation that we have to have. We have a duty to the taxpayer to save and find value for money but we also have a duty to Irish businesses and people. It about finding a balance. We did a successful pilot project. Let me add that we have a duty to individuals in terms of our social clauses, including people who have been out of work too long and people who need education in work. The State can help by awarding contracts to Irish businesses in an open and transparent way while also saving money and getting value for money.