Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support the thrust of the amendment. The local authority I was a member of was controlled by Fianna Gael and Labour. Sadly, that is no longer the case as it is now controlled by Fine Gael.

There is an issue in terms of transparency of contracts and the whole tender process. I can recall at divisional and full meetings, officials, as they are required, opening the tenders in the presence of the members, rattling off the figures in those tenders and then leaving. The power to make a decision as to who was awarded a contract was not a reserved function, therefore the input of members was minimal. The process whereby officials opened tenders at meetings during which many issues were discussed, and members were not involved in the decision-making process to decide who got a contract, was just a visual exercise. There is an important point in regard to that process and I appeal to the Minister to look favourably on this amendment.