Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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254. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the German Government’s decision to make awards of public procurement contracts conditional on collective agreements; and his plans to introduce a similar measure here. [26144/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The procedural rules which apply to public procurement contracts are clearly defined. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which processes public procurement contracts in Ireland has lead responsibility in this area.The OGP operates as a Division of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).

It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to support the development of an institutional framework facilitating a voluntary system of industrial relations. The system is based on respecting the autonomy of parties to negotiate and agree terms that enhance existing statutory protections.

In addition, there are statutory wage setting mechanism designed to provide enhanced protections for entire sectors.

There are no plans to make awards of public procurement contracts conditional on collective agreements in Ireland. Collective bargaining is a voluntary matter for third parties.