Dan Boyle (Green Party)

Senator Twomey, Senator Hannigan and Senator O'Toole spoke about procurement issues. Senator Hannigan and Senator O'Toole raised the difficulties that exist with EU legislation. We are obviously constrained by that. However, the Government is committed, both in the programme for Government and in the framework document on a smart economy, to pursuing the concept of green procurement. The essence of green procurement is that materials are sourced as close as possible to where they are created. There is an opportunity to refine our procurement policies to ensure there is maximum employment impact in the national economy. That issue is being pursued as quickly as possible.

Senator O'Toole asked about legislation regarding a mayor of Dublin. There will be an announcement on this in a few weeks and legislation will be brought forward in the very near future. The same question was asked by Senator Coghlan and Senator Buttimer. On the question of who would be a candidate for that election, the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, will definitely have a candidate in the field.