Ms Clare McGrath:

We do not have a role. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, through the GCC, is the body which sets the guidelines, for example, those relating to works contracts concerning turnover being 75% of the annualised value up to 150%. When the OPW carries out these types of contract, we look at the contract and determine what is appropriate on an individual case-by-case basis. I cannot state what other procuring entities follow or why they might determine that the turnover levels should be at a different level. I accept the Deputy's point in respect of making access as wide as possible and I will certainly raise this issue when we attend the GCC. The chair of the GCC might raise it as well. I am very happy to deal with individual instances where people say we are not complying with respect to our own works contracts. I am not aware of that because internally all parts of the organisation involved in procuring works are very conscious of facilitating firms with regard to having access to a competition - not necessarily how it might win it but at least facilitating access.