Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

Serious savings can be made by having good on-line procurement systems, whether it is in the health services or local authorities. Better value for money can be obtained by spending it differently. The public is increasingly using on-line stores for purchases and it will see the opportunities in this regard.

One aspect of the Bill that concerns me relates to access to information and the outsourcing of accountability. I also have concerns about some elements of the PPP process which can result in bad outcomes for the public interest. For example, it will now cost the State a small fortune, almost €600 million, to purchase back the West Link bridge.

The decisions made on what projects would be subject to a PPP require significant scrutiny but do not get it. For example, the section of the M4 built under a PPP was significantly more expensive to build per mile than the public section. Those who are caught by this are those everyday commuters who pay the toll for using the section of the road. On the M4 it is proposed to have a toll on the way into Galway and Dublin while all other sections are paid for from the public purse.

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