Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I would like to ask the Minister of State about this amendment, in so far as it relates to projects such as group water schemes, extensions to sewerage schemes or the provision of sewage treatment units. There is a lot of merit in the amendment proposed by Senator John Phelan. I understand that a number of companies will tender for specific PPP projects, such as group water schemes or schools. The tendering process has been put in place so that a successful tendering company will be assured that its proposal represents the best deal in terms of finance, maintenance, machinery and all other aspects. The successful group will know that it is the only group that can provide a certain PPP as all the other tenders will have been different in some respects. This amendment proposes that tenderers will be open to receiving advice from the NDFA.