Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What is the level of best practice within the European Union referred to by the Taoiseach in respect of public procurement? The Irish public sector spends approximately €19 billion every year in buying goods and services. In 2004, for example, the Northern Ireland office identified a three-year public service saving of approximately €250 million in their spend of €1.7 billion in buying public services and so on.

The Fine Gael and Labour parties, in a document entitled The Buck Stops Here, recommended the establishment of a public buying office which would operate within the Department of Finance and which would report to the Minister of State at that Department. Given the scales and volumes involved in purchasing goods and services for the Department of the Taoiseach and other Departments, does the Taoiseach believe the idea of a public buying office would be of great benefit? It would be possible to purchase significant quantities and the scales of economies could therefore apply in the public interest. There could be serious savings.

What is the Government's point of view? Has the Department of the Taoiseach put forward any particular views on the issue?

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