Mr. David Moloney:

As the Deputy will know, in terms of our setting out the guidelines for procurement frameworks, we do not have that much visibility of individual projects. As a general principle, we would not want different arms of the State conflicting with each other. We would want them to reach negotiated and mediated outcomes, whether it be with respect to planning permission or any other legal action. As a result of the fiduciary and other duties and statutory or other responsibilities State agencies have, it is not always possible to avoid it, but I do not have oversight of the specific issue.

Regarding the difficulties that arise, particularly in the current circumstances around the length of time that passes between a tender being accepted and the project being initiated, which can sometimes happen, this year we have tried to introduce some flexibility into the public works contract in January. We said there could be a more flexible arrangement with new contracts to take account of that time factor. We are also encouraging contracting parties to minimise the time involved. In a zero inflation environment the time factor is one thing, but in a higher inflation environment the time between tender awards and implementation needs to be minimised.