Ms Isolde Goggin:

Absolutely. We think that screening and being able to get access to the information on eTenders in order to see what is happening would be useful. That has not happened. We know from our counterparts internationally that where it has been done it has thrown up a lot of very useful information. Screening is important. It is great if we do the screening and it shows nothing because we have a good public procurement system, but screening has been helpful in showing up issues in other countries. Once one gets a few cases, one can usually use them as a deterrent.

The deterrents show what is happening, how bad the situation is and the consequences for those who engage in the practice. I agree with the Deputy that we need to get involved, take cases in this area and show that the matter is being pursued and will be detected. We would then use that in our advocacy function to talk to others in a procurement space.