Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To repeat, there is a bonding system in place with all of these contracts that are undertaken on behalf of the State, where a percentage of the bond is retained by the contracting authority. In the case Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to, and without getting into the detail, it may well be an education and training body or the Department of Education and Skills. There is a procedure available but as well as that, we have to go through a process. That process can often involve court action being taken against the contracting authority and-or the State. It is not something we can enter into lightly. We have to have proof and we have to follow a process, and I think the Deputy would appreciate and respect that. There are safeguards already in place. Maybe there is a problem of awareness around the processes and safeguards that are there and if so, we can do more about making sure people are aware of them.

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