Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the Taoiseach have an overall figure on the savings that can be achieved by having a real policy in the area of public procurement? It must amount to hundreds of millions of euro. From speaking to procurement officers in local authorities and Departments, it is clear there are so many different contracts and systems in place that it seems incredible that a much more streamlined and efficient system could not be introduced which would reduce costs for taxpayers by securing the benefits of doing real public procurement in volume.

What has been the result of the decision to abolish some quangos and subsume others into Departments or other quangos? Is a list available setting out progress to date?

The Minister for Finance has introduced a total embargo on public recruitment. The four Ministers opposite will appreciate and understand that if one removes in toto the ability to recruit from State Departments, as people in certain sections retire or move on, a space is created on the conveyer belt, as it were, which, if not filled, brings the relevant Departments to a halt. In what current circumstances is it possible for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan to appoint or employ a public servant to critical areas? What are the circumstances which apply?

The Government's task force on the public service recommended a common public service contract which would allow for public servants to be redeployed and move from Department to Department. What is the status of that? Is it operational? Does it mean people of initiative and enterprise in any one Department can, if they see an opportunity in a different Department, be eligible without difficulty to apply and be considered to transfer to such positions?

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