Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. A significant number of small local businesses are not registered on the e-tenders website and are not competing. While the bulk of the value of overall contracts is won in Ireland, a considerable amount is won by foreign companies. I welcome circular 10/14, which is a significant development. If we do not get our act together here it will be very difficult for us to tender for European contracts. If we can get 0.5% more of that, it will be worth twice as much as the public procurement contracts for the whole State.

It is vitally important to apply that circular consistently. What measures are being taken to do that? The Minister said these issues cannot be targeted locally. Kilkenny County Council has introduced a public contract for the maintenance of its water and waste waterworks and set a condition of response within two hours. That allowed local contractors to tender and it was won by local contractors. A bit of ingenuity would help ensure that there is a level playing field and that local companies get a fair crack of the whip.

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