Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We liaised with the Minister of State's officials on this issue. The Minister of State withdrew the amendment on Committee Stage to allow us engage with his officials and we said to his officials, during our briefing, that we have major issues around the procurement process. It is flawed in many areas and needs to be reviewed. We will support the Minister of State on this particular amendment if he gives a commitment that issues about procurement processes will be a priority for his Department. Having spoken to the Minister of State's officials, we understand that expressly putting something into one piece of legislation which is not in many other pieces of legislation could open up legal challenges in many areas. None of us want to see that. The Minister of State has to recognise that there is an issue around procurement which has not been addressed and needs to be.

As a member of the Committee of Public Accounts, I see reports where procurement processes are not being adhered to week in and week out. That needs to be addressed. We are happy to support the Minister of State on this amendment if he gives me a commitment that it will be a priority for his Department.

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