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

We are making great strides on public lighting across the country. Deputies will have seen this in the replacement of public street lighting which is now using LEDs which is far more efficient. These are cropping up all over the country. I cannot comment on the specific matters raised by the Deputy earlier. I cannot comment on the hedges because I do not have the details.

From her time in government the Deputy will appreciate that we must be very careful that we do not give a monopoly-type situation an unfair advantage in procurement. That would be very unfair. On transport, we are purchasing buses from an existing framework which must be concluded before we may move on to a new one. However, Irish Rail has already committed to the procurement of carriages. We are moving to a new agenda.

Returning to social considerations, we are doing a lot of work in this area. I welcome the opportunity to have that dialogue but I have already written to all spokespersons for examples of how we can continue the procurement reform agenda in the context of the EU directive. I would look forward to any kind of engagement on this.

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