Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There has been a general welcome for the establishment of the office of Government procurement and the Minister has previously referred to the fact that we spend in the region of €9 billion per annum on public procurement. My question reflects the concerns of the Small Firms Association, SFA, and of small businesses generally, regarding the tendering processes under the new system. It is likely that small, indigenous companies will find the going much tougher because there will be a bundling of contracts which will make it more difficult for them to compete. Concerns have been also expressed around the issue of transparency.

I must declare an interest here. I am the director of a number of community companies which would be involved in tendering for Government contracts. My question reflects the views of my colleagues in that context.

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