Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Taoiseach's response, which demonstrated an understanding of the Deputy's question and intent. I appreciate the difficulties involved. Does the Taoiseach agree that careful preparation and management of the tender examination process are required to remain in compliance with current EU directives?

In terms of local government, will the Taoiseach indicate to his ministerial colleague, the leader of the Green Party, that this situation is applicable, not only to Departments, but across the local authority spectrum? I come from a constituency wherein furniture and cabinet making has been integral to generations of workers, but that sector has been devastated by cheap imports and kits, which have become the order of the day. This fact was in the Deputy's mind when he asked his questions.

From the Taoiseach's recent EU engagement, where matters not unconnected with what is at the core of this series of questions were raised, is there a potential for some relaxation of requirement orders within a specified value? Have other ideas been explored? We have a restriction across the board on open access to tendering, but is there no opportunity to ameliorate the situation by considering the order profile in terms of value scale. This might offer some important assistance to Irish manufacturers and service providers in these difficult times.

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