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

We have debated many of these issues in the past. The Minister of State will not be surprised to hear that I do not concur entirely with his assessment of the reformed procurement function for the State. My view is that it has had a number of very negative consequences, but we do not have the scope to debate that issue today. The Minister of State knows, too, that I am very positively disposed towards rigorous public procurement procedures not only to save money and enhance efficiency but also to secure a range of positive social consequences. However, I asked him a number of specific questions which hinged on the managed print services framework agreement. In particular, I have asked him to make it clear, whether he encourages public bodies and schools, in particular, to avail of it, that their doing so is voluntary and that there is no absolute obligation to work to the panels established under the agreement. The reason I am asking the Minister of State to be so specific is that this is one of the frameworks that was challenged in the High Court and the Supreme Court. The challengers won and the Government and the State lost. It is essential that the Minister of State make clear to schools that adherence to the agreement is voluntary and that they will not be penalised for failing to comply with the panels under the framework agreements.

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