Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Question No. 89 refers to the country’s recent improvement in the corruption perception index score of 74 out of 100, tied for 17th place with the United States of America, Barbados and Hong Kong. Those putting together this data sounded a particular note of caution and warned against complacency, identifying in particular the area of public procurement as one that was rich with opportunity for corruption and malpractice. I raised this theme with the Minister in previous questions on the new EU rules on procurement that are to be introduced. What plans has the Minister to safeguard the area of public procurement? Does he accept there is the potential for corruption in this area? What does he propose to do about it?

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