Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. He should always keep social enterprises in his thoughts as well as workers' co-operatives. Incredible work is being done on a shoestring. The organisations based on the social enterprise model have a massive role to play. There may be people waiting to be asked when the net could be spread a little wider. Social enterprises should always be kept to the forefront of the mind of the Minister of State, if possible.

How does the model of the circular economy in general fit with the Government's public procurement model? We know how State contracts are issued and the criteria involved. When it comes down to the final analysis, the lowest bid wins. That is policy. I have seen this in operation, as I am sure the Minister of State has. He mentioned that work is under way on a new green procurement strategy and action plan. As part of this, has the Minister of State spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform about seriously reforming public procurement to ensure the circular economy, sustainability, workers' rights, local businesses and the local economy can be prioritised such that the State will harness its massive spending power and use it as a driver rather than always going for the lowest common denominator? I am sure the Minister of State, like me, has heard the phrase "Buy cheap, buy twice". Instead of going for quality and decent local jobs, there is a race to the bottom all the time. I understand the need for value for money – we all get that – but something is being lost if the circular economy is not going to be genuinely central to the Government's public procurement strategy.