Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I am not fully familiar with the Veolia situation. The current approach is comprehensive, adequate and proportionate and aligns with the EU principles of openness, fairness and transparency. With all State contracts, each bidder in the procurement process must sign a statement confirming that if it is awarded any service contract, it will in the performance of that contract comply with all applicable obligations in the field of labour law and social and environmental law. That is really important. During the life cycle of the contract, the contract manager has the power to act in respect of breaches by contractors of employment or law obligations. That can lead to termination of the contract. There are severe consequences in place for those who do not comply with their legal obligations. We have national rules governing public procurement that must comply with EU requirements, as I said earlier. It is important also to note that employment law and its enforcement, both public and private, is a matter for the State authorities including the WRC and the Labour Court in conjunction with the Departments of enterprise and of social protection.

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