Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The point he has made about essential supplies and securing the supply line is really important. We will need to reflect carefully on it as we further develop our economic response to Covid-19, because those challenges could emerge again. Not just Ireland, but many other countries were faced with that reality where much large-scale manufacturing has moved to the Far East. A dependence has built up and it is a lesson for the entire European Union that needs to be taken on board and put into effect in new policies. On the procurement issue, I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, when he served in that role previously. I note that the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, is keen to continue with the work to open up procurement opportunities for small and medium-sized indigenous businesses in Ireland. That is a key objective of this Government. It is reflected in the programme for Government and we are determined to build on the progress that has been made so far in collaboration with all the representative bodies to cut through some of the red tape and open up those procurement opportunities insofar as we can.

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