Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy's experience in the contracting world and so on. The Minister has responded to the issues. Contracts will now permit mutual cost recovery for material price changes of more than 15%. Therefore, where costs rise by more than 15%, the contractor can recover that. Measures have been taken in response to this issue. The balance always has to be struck between achieving value for money, protecting the taxpayer, getting a fair deal for the taxpayer and - I take this point - ensuring people have a viable situation in terms of tendering, getting work done and getting projects completed. That is clearly important also.

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