Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I attended the forum on public procurement that was held in the Westbury Hotel last week. An official from the European Commission who was present at that forum made the point that 17% of the contracts relating to tenders for public procurement in Ireland that are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union are awarded to non-Irish companies based in other countries. The EU average in this regard is only 1.5%. If we are serious with regard to facilitating job creation and opportunities for Irish companies, will the Taoiseach explain why 17% of contracts relating to tenders for public procurement in Ireland are awarded to non-Irish companies based in other countries? Is it his view that we are failing small business here in the context of the opportunities we can create for it to tender in respect of public procurement contracts or is it that the Government has not realised the potential for job creation that exists in this regard?

I accept that my original question in this regard relates only to the Taoiseach's Department, which is one of the smallest Departments of State. However, it is startling that 17% of the type of contracts to which I refer are awarded to companies based in other countries. As already stated, the EU average is only 1.5%. Cyprus is next nearest to Ireland in respect of this matter with a rate of 7.3%. The position in this regard is extraordinary.

I know that Ministers would be interested in Irish companies providing services and goods to Departments of State. Will the Taoiseach comment on why Ireland is way above the EU average in respect of the award of these contracts to outside companies? Something is radically wrong in this regard. It is clear the opportunity to create thousands of jobs exists.

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