Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

This is an important issue, one discussed by the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Deputy Varadkar may have been inspired to table this question having been present for the discussion on this issue by that committee.

There is a perception that printing contractors are losing out hand over fist and that other European competitors are able to devise methods of ensuring they are awarded contracts. Irish contractors believe other European countries are running a coach and four through the rules in this area and that Ireland is being a goody-two-shoes from a European perspective. Not alone are we obeying the rules but we are making them more difficult for our native industry, in particular the printing industry, which is under threat and trying to survive. We are making business extremely difficult for it.

As far as I am aware - I may be wrong on this - the contract for printing of material in respect of the first referendum on the Lisbon treaty was awarded to a company outside Ireland. How can this be justified?

Would the Minister agree that there is a weighting system in awarding contracts? The OPW is deeply involved in this. Could we not ensure that greater weight is given to people who are tried, trusted and reliable and have done jobs in the past? Our native industry, particularly in the printing trade, has tried to secure important and skilled jobs and they are all under threat.

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