Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr Quinn. I have a question and a "Yes" or "No" answer will do. Last March and April, when there was an understandable panic in trying to get personal protective equipment into the country, something that stood out was that we did not have a native supply. We did not even have a supply within Europe. There was a worldwide shortage. I understand that some companies in the country are now producing personal protective equipment and this is good. Are there mechanisms to give them an edge with a native contract in terms of ensuring security of supply? We had a problem with flying cargo on passenger planes from China, which is not the best way to do things. It was the best that could be done in the circumstances and ten out of ten to everybody involved. Is there a mechanism whereby we can try to retain the native suppliers and encourage this? Perhaps Mr. Moloney might answer this.