Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I am grateful to Deputy Wall for raising this issue. If we are to get value for the Irish taxpayer, this is a crucial debate this country needs to have.

I very much agree with Deputy Wall as well. We cannot allow any of these jobs to be lost, but the only way those jobs will be saved is by better procurement and people understanding our requirements as well. All over the country, we have been having "Meet-the-Buyer" events, which are all about us explaining to the small guy what he needs to do for us in terms of making the tendering work. I accept it is a dialogue between both sides. The SMEs are crucial in that. They are on the NPS board. They are well represented. I am conscious of their views.

Deputy Wall is correct when he refers to this lunatic requirement that one needs €10 million turnover in order to pitch for business. That is because the local procurer, who is inserting that stipulation, is not applying Circular 10/10 in a proportionate way. If I am looking for a contract for €10,000, it is madness to state that one needs to have had a €10 million turnover for the past three years. That is because the local procurer has not the confidence to do as we suggest he should be doing - altering the terms so that the Irish SMEs can win some of this business.

I very much agree with Deputy Wall. We are at one on this. It is about dialogue. It is about ensuring that we meet those concerns of the Irish SMEs and I assure the Deputy that am absolutely up for that task.

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