Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Could Ms McNamara talk a little bit about the creation of the offence of bid-rigging? I have spoken to, as I am sure have all the Deputies and Senators at this meeting, small bidders, small builders and people who would be bidding for these contracts. They will say it is their view - this is their view as relayed to me - that bid-rigging happens and that it happens in State contracts. The issue was raised with me in relation to large-scale projects where one might have a number of people bidding for those contracts. It came very much to the fore in the building of a hospital. I will not name it but I am sure we all know the one I am speaking about. Has Ms McNamara conducted any research into bid-rigging to prompt this and the transposition? Does she have any information to back up the fact it is happening and that there is a need for us to stop it in respect of State contracts in the first instance but then more broadly?