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

I have stated before that I encourage the Minister's Department to take more of a hands-on approach rather than continuously leaving it to a line manager. For example, I have argued that the procurement office should take over the purchase of drugs and medicines on behalf of the Department of Health. I deal with this in a parliamentary question today but the Minister's Department indicated it was a matter for the Department of Health. I am sure the officials did not consult the Minister when they off-loaded it to the Department of Health. My question asked about bringing that functionality to the Department of Public Expenditure in dealing with procurement on behalf of the State. The Department did not want to take it. I am concerned that even when the Minister is encouraged to take more of a hands-on approach, some officials are not willing to do so.

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