Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I realise the ambassador has left but I very much want to welcome her to the Chamber. Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria and the people there have a very special place in my heart. I am delighted to be able to congratulate them on their national day.

The issue I wish to raise this morning relates to the National Gallery of Ireland, which is one of a number of extremely important cultural institutions in this State. In fact, it is the foremost cultural institution in the State and in that role, it has a responsibility to show leadership in who it works with and to whom it contracts work. Indeed, any public body that is spending State money has that responsibility but in particular, as our primary national cultural institution, the National Gallery of Ireland holds that responsibility. I support the artists and staff who have expressed concerns about the awarding of the cafe contract to Aramark. Of course, any State body is perfectly entitled to award a contract to those they deem most appropriate but serious questions must be asked about the procurement policy. We know that those artists who have withdrawn their works from the Zurich portrait prize exhibition, namely, Brian Teeling, Emma Roche and Emily O'Flynn, have done so at considerable personal and professional risk. We know that Salvatore of Lucan and Jonathan Mayhew are among the 84 artists who have signed letters expressing their deep-seated concerns about the awarding of the contract.

Obviously, it is important that people are entitled to register their concerns about the continuation of direct provision - I think most of us here feel that direct provision needs to come to an end - and, in particular, the standards some companies have maintained within the direct provision centres. Knockalisheen and Lissywollen are two of many direct provision centres where there have been issues regarding the food provided by Aramark. I am seeking a debate on procurement policy in the State and the latitude that is allowed. I have seen the correspondence from the director of the National Gallery of Ireland, which says that the gallery is bound by Irish and EU procurement law. If that is the case, we need to have an understanding of what it means. Does that mean that it can only award contracts on the basis of the lowest cost or is there scope to include other factors? Having looked at procurement law, I believe there is absolutely scope to include other factors but I am not sure that was set out in the tender. There is a real issue now regarding how the State spends money and the responsibility it has to ensure it is spent well in supporting activities that are worthy of it in this country.