Dáil debates

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

1:00 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I have raised with Bord Gáis more than once the matters raised by the Deputy in the House. This has caused the company to communicate directly with him. On the wider issue he raises, the fact remains that we are a member of the European Union. To do what he asks would run contrary to the law. Therefore, we cannot do what he suggests in terms of procurement. Even if any of the companies was minded to do it, it would not be free to do what he requests. Irish companies would suffer if this were to happen because they, too, are contending for and winning contracts outside Ireland. This includes State companies such as the ESB and Bord na Móna which are very successful in this area and have built a very interesting talent bank in engineering and other skills. Within EU law on freedom of movement it is not possible to restrict recruitment by such contractors to within this jurisdiction only.

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