Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made a fair point. Being bound by a recommendation is different from engaging. Public bodies and private entities that are funded largely by the State, I think, should engage with the industrial machinery of the State. I do not know whether it can be done but maybe in the future what we should write into contracts and tenders is a requirement that they do so in order that they are willing to engage in what are essentially the mechanisms of the State. If one wants a contract from the State then perhaps we should consider working that into contracts but that is something I will have to get advice on as to whether it is possible, and what the pros and cons are.