Mr. Kevin McCarthy:

On procurement compliance, we make an annual return under Circular 40/02 which sets out all of the contracts that are procured outside the EU directive framework. As the Deputy pointed out, that included a considerable volume of contracts and a considerable sum of money in 2021. In 2022, it also involved a considerable sum of money. That is not to say, however, that the procurement is not competitive, open and transparent or that it does not offer value for money. We operate within guidelines.