Mr. Fred Barry:

There are real difficulties in the State sector in referencing previous performance when awarding new contracts. This is not just a children's hospital matter, it is a more general matter. I am aware that some of the relevant Departments are working on this issue currently and may come up with an approach that will allow the purchasing agencies to reflect and include consideration of past performance a little better than can be done at the moment. Right now, under the rules that are there, essentially if contractors meet the pre-qualification criteria, one cannot stop them tendering. If they tender and their tender is the most economically advantageous, then they have to be awarded the contract. There is a challenge there, certainly.