Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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It has all been said in that regard. There is another aspect to this and, as a committee member, I certainly need more information on procurement. I agree we have highlighted that non-compliance is unacceptable. However, on the ground, the ETBs talk about the difficulties the current system is creating for a sustainable supply of services that helps the local communities, which is the other part of it. I would love some discussion around that. Our role is to highlight and stop this but it is also to ask other questions. With procurement done at national level, is there a built-in review of whether this is the best way and whether it is providing value for money and helping local communities? Particularly in respect of the ETBs and the hospitals, I see a whole load of major cleaning companies and translation services for which the contracts are just rolled over repeatedly. What about local businesses? Is it geared to help them? That is where I am at really. I have mixed feelings.