Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

With respect, one of the questions I asked was about reports that were to have been brought to Government by a number of Departments by the end of 2009. To the best of my knowledge the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works does not attend Cabinet meetings so I am asking the Taoiseach whether those reports on public procurement recommended by the McCarthy report from a number of line Departments by the end of 2009 were brought to Government. Has that happened? I imagine the Taoiseach would remember that, as the amount of money involved is significant. Mr. McCarthy suggested there was a potential for savings of €300 million in a full year. Have the line Departments brought those reports to Government?

Has the Taoiseach heard anything about the panel of experts the McCarthy report recommended should be established to assist Government in professionalising public procurement? Has the matter come up at Cabinet meetings? Has the Taoiseach heard anything about the panel or does he know whether it has been established?

See this speech in context