Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome. Four State contracts are under way in Monaghan town at present, all of which have been secured by contractors from outside the State. I understand the requirements of the State tendering process but is there a need for a review of that process to ensure absolute fairness? Local people in Monaghan naturally are asking questions about the process that resulted in this happening and whether it is truly fair and just. They are asking whether it is not strange that in awarding four State contracts, not a single contractor from Monaghan was successful. After all, they employ local people, buy their materials from local suppliers and pay rates. People need assurance that the current system of assessment is truly effective. They need to be assured that the same criteria are used fairly for all tenders. There needs to be absolute assurance that there are no loopholes, that is, that the current criteria of the tendering process do not give contractors from outside the State any unfair advantage. Are there adequate inspections during and at the end of such contracts to ensure the criteria have been adhered to by the successful contractors? People must be assured that there is a level playing pitch and that the Department is doing all it can to ensure this is the case.