Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The European average is 97% or 98%. The Minister should undertake measures within the EU guidelines to increase our rate to 95% in the next year or so, yet with the same prices. This would result in an extra €600 million or €700 million for the domestic economy. It is a tragedy that €1.3 billion of Government procurement goes to companies outside the country when that rate is not the norm across the EU. Will the Minister ensure that Ireland falls in line with the EU norm? It would lead to more spending in the domestic economy.

I compliment the Minister's office. I hope that it is making good progress. Will the Minister's Department take over the procurement of drugs and medicines from the Department of Health, which has shown its incapability in this regard? Remove that function from the Department of Health. Perhaps the Minister's office could do a better job and achieve some savings.

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