Results 10,881-10,900 of 26,579 for speaker:John McGuinness

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I think members have time to come back directly to the clerk with whatever amendments they have or with whatever strengthening of language they see necessary in the report. Perhaps then, after St. Patrick's week, we can launch the report.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: It does happen. We get the reply, but we do not necessarily get it as speedily as the Deputy has described. We get a reply and can remind the Government of the need for an early reply whenever we deem that necessary. We get an overview of the Government's position on the issue.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Those recommendations are in the report.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: We had a full meeting on this and all of this information resulted from that. This information informs the background to the report and from that we have drawn up the recommendations. This is only a draft report. Members may want to read the report again and take advantage of the week or more we have left to deal with the matter and then send their submissions to the clerk.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Is there any other business? As there is no other business, we will agree our meeting for Thursday, 12 March at which we will have presentations from the Revenue Commissioners and HSBC. I will ask the clerk to report to committee members on the availability of the delegate from HSBC and on what we can expect, so that members are briefed before the meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I will ask the clerk to ensure members are aware of the response from the HSBC and the extent of the information the delegate will have, so that we are clear in regard to what information can be gleaned through questions. In regard to the HSE, we should get representatives in as soon as possible. If that is to happen next week, we will sit on Tuesday. The matter is in the public domain...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery that they should turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: You are all welcome. I invite Ms Fleming to make her opening statement.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Many thanks, Mr. Noonan. May we publish both statements? We may. Thank you.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: They are coming at noon. The Minister is not coming in but the Deputy can have a chat with him himself.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: While the members were contributing, I had an opportunity to look at the annual progress report on the public service reform plan for March 2015. It was in our post this morning. On page 6 of the report, it states the procurement reform programme is implementing a new centralised model for public procurement to generate significant savings in non-pay expenditure. It is stated that...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: It is news to me too. This is a Government publication and probably comes with a health warning.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Another item in the report on which I would like the witnesses' views is set out on page 25. It refers to public procurement and circulars. The report states that Circular 10/14, the infamous one, which contains new public procurement guidelines that make it easier for small businesses to bid for State business, was launched in April 2014.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: What is Circular 10/14?

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I am referring to the annual report from Mr. Watt's office. Are the witnesses saying that Circular 10/14 was worthwhile, but nothing has been achieved on foot of it?

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: On page 26 of the report, it is stated that the OGP continues to engage with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, IntertradeIreland, local government and Enterprise Ireland to support SME engagement in public procurement and to progress the supporting actions in the Action Plan for Jobs. Has the OGP been in contact with the witnesses on the supports they require?

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Is it Mr. Noonan's view that it does not function?

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Let me give Mr. Noonan the priority of the OGP for 2015. It is to take on all sourcing activity in scope from Departments and agencies valued above €25,000 for spend falling in eight categories, one of which is marketing and stationery. If what it is doing is not modified in some way to suit microbusinesses in this country, it will continue to have the catastrophic effects that it is...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Therefore, what Mr. Noonan is telling us this morning is that all of this is of absolute urgency and that it needs to be addressed, not with the flowery language that one finds in these releases but with some real action from the Minister and the OGP.