Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I knew the Ceann Comhairle would stop me, which is the reason I am stopping myself on this matter.

Has the interdepartmental committee on housing and PPPs considered the recently launched Transport 21 programme given that a significant part of the programme will be funded by PPPs? Will the Taoiseach comment on an issue brought to my attention recently regarding the costly and complex nature of tendering for a PPP project? Those companies which do not qualify under the tender system obviously do not get the job. If the tendering process is costly and complex, one could well find in respect of the elements of Transport 21 expected to be delivered by PPPs that a small number of well resourced companies will be eligible to tender for and win PPP projects. If the number of companies declines, this small group could well turn into a type of PPP cartel in which the members distribute jobs among themselves, thereby increasing costs.

Does the Taoiseach envisage circumstances in which, given the complexity and cost of the tendering system, companies which do not qualify will receive some form of recognition for submitting a tender or have some of the costs they incurred returned in order that they will be encouraged to continue to compete for PPP projects and to avoid the emergence of a costly, well resourced cartel capable of distributing these contracts among its members?

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