Departmental Contracts
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-28
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Jack Chambers (FF), Dublin West

I thank the Deputy. I commend all his work and policy proposals in this area. I think we can all agree that enhancing transparency is absolutely a desirable objective. I am open to examining how additional information can be provided in a meaningful way to achieve that. In terms of wider moves towards standardisation, part of what my officials are now examining is what the various systems and operational capacities are in particular Departments and agencies to achieve that. More broadly and in line with the focus of transparency, I am conscious of the critical role public procurement plays, particularly in maintaining and building public trust in Government. Billions of euro are spent on public contracts every year and, as the Deputy said, the public need to be confident that their money is being spent in a judicious and fair manner. Likewise, suppliers need to trust the integrity of the procurement system if we are to drive participation and increased competition. In that line, I am concluding a new national procurement strategy, which I hope to bring to Government before the summer recess. There are different elements, with transparency-related procurement processes and data and organisation planning being consolidated into a broader pillar, again, to strengthen trust and transparency.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-28