Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I reject that there is any bias towards big business. If there were, it would be unlawful under both domestic and European law.

I advise the Deputy, if she has any information relating to manifest bias in that regard, to notify the Garda as a matter of urgency.

As the Deputy knows, public procurement is governed by European and national rules. The aim of the system is to procure open, competitive and non-discriminatory procurement. Most Deputies in the House who spoke on this issue today indicated that the establishment of the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, is a breath of fresh air. It is the first time we have real data and that we know who is buying what and at what cost. We know the criteria in place. I have said to people who ask similar questions that of course there is room for improvement. For example, we are examining the entire procurement process all the time and the tender advisory service will be reviewed next month to ensure that any complaints that have been received will be fully acted on. As I indicated to the House previously, 27 complaints have been received to date. Concerns from any small firms will be addressed and real capacity will be given to the small and medium enterprise, SME, sector to ensure it can win public contracts. Two thirds of public contracts are already won by the SME sector and the overwhelming majority of contracts, in volume and in monetary value, are won by companies within this State.

That is all good but of course we can do better. Having a transparent and open State process with which people can interact will be an enormous step forward. As I stated to other Deputies, I hope to be in a position to bring legislation before the House to establish the OGP on a statutory basis. We can address these matters in some detail when we look at that.

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