David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A Second Stage speech allows us to deal with a broad range of issues about a Bill, and the Ceann Comhairle is long enough in the House to know that. I understand the point that the Ceann Comhairle makes. I am simply saying that we cannot look at new inclusions in how we deal with public procurement if we do not deal with the failures of the past. We have a Bill before us that talks about making changes, which I support, but the big problem which the Comptroller and Auditor General has reported on over and over again is not being looked at. I am using my Second Stage speech to highlight this to the Minister of State in a very forthright way, detailing the list of failures. I believe it is my right and my entitlement to do so. Whatever way I choose to use my 15 minutes for my Second Stage speech, with respect to the Ceann Comhairle, is a matter for me because I am talking about public procurement.

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