Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with much of what the Deputy says and she is correct. Aside from capital projects the State spends about €23 million a day on purchasing goods and services. It is a very significant contribution to the domestic economy and to the flow of money around the domestic economy. There is also an issue with SMEs needing to know that the public procurement process is open to them. We want them to become involved. It is a little like exporting in the days of the Celtic tiger when exporting was viewed as something only done by larger companies. There has been a cultural shift and a change in the mindset and many smaller businesses are exporting successfully. We need to get to that point with regard to procurement where the procurement process is open to everyone in every town and village and where we provide all the supports.

I agree we need to achieve value for money and we have very ambitious savings targets. However, we have previously debated the point that value for money is not always a case of the bottom line; it comprises a formula that is more complex than just considering the bottom line. That is the balance we need to achieve. I hope we get it right most of the time - I am not saying we get it right all the time - and hopefully this consultation process will tease out these issues.

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