Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Sometimes there is a perception of a golden circle for procurement which new companies find it difficult to break into. The Department of Finance guidelines should apply to all Departments. Has the Department of the Taoiseach taken on board some of them that come to mind? For example, I understand that the Department of Finance has recommended a training programme for executives in charge of specialised IT projects or construction contracts. Has the Department of the Taoiseach taken that on board?

As for the recommendation from the Department of Finance, will the Taoiseach also let the House know whether an individual within a Department will be allocated responsibility for all major IT and capital projects? I understand that a project manager would take the lead in ensuring that projects are developed on time, to specification and within budget. Has such an appointment been made in the Department of the Taoiseach?

I understand that performance tables have also been recommended for each Department. Is the Department of the Taoiseach included? The tables will gauge the extent of project outcomes versus contract budgets. Does the Department of the Taoiseach have people in place in line with those recommendations? While I do not think it is a Government policy, does the Department of the Taoiseach have a policy on ethical procurement given that investment does not have any ethical considerations? Surely it should be easier and more straightforward to put in place an ethical procurement policy concerning, for example, fair trade products.

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