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

-----the era of auction politics was over. It now appears the Government is buying people's votes with the proceeds of the sale of the family silver. It is central to the Government's policy.

I raised the next matter directly with the Taoiseach two years ago, when I asked him about the Construction Contracts Act 2013. It was passed by the Oireachtas in summer 2013, having been brought forward by Senator Feargal Quinn. It was signed into law on 29 July 2013 by the President. Exactly two years ago, when the Taoiseach sat across from me and the other Ministers had disappeared, I asked him to ensure the legislation would be activated. He told me he would do so but two years on, he has not followed through. I have given up on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin; the Minister of State, Deputy Harris; and a former Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, who have been responsible for this. Will the Taoiseach please resolve the internal wrangling with this issue and commence this legislation forthwith?

We want to help Irish businesses. The Office of Government Procurement has indicated that the average amount of tenders won by companies within a state within the EU for government-funded tenders is 98.6%, with Ireland at just over 95%. Within EU procurement guidelines, it is possible to dramatically improve that figure. We need to tender in a smart and clever way, as other countries do so in order to ensure their companies get a contract. We must learn from them. This may surprise the Taoiseach, although it should embarrass him. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, indicated during Question Time last Thursday when I asked why so many procurement contracts are given outside the State that "the vast majority of public procurement opportunities in Ireland are advertised in English, which makes it easier for our tender documents to be accessible to businesses across Europe, for which English is a preferred second language."

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