The programme for Government includes a commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to make it more transparent and encourage greater participation from SMEs. Working towards this aim, and to set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years, my Department is developing a first national public procurement strategy. The strategy has been subject to an extensive consultation process, which has been critical to understanding the primary challenges and opportunities for both public bodies and suppliers. My Department undertook the following as part of the consultation for this strategy: a public consultation to ensure that all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement had an opportunity to inform the new strategy; regional workshops in Dublin, Cork and Athlone, which included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector, representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, representatives from civil society, and members of the public; a dedicated webinar for suppliers so they could feed into the development of the strategy; and bilateral meetings with Departments and key stakeholders. My officials are currently drafting the strategy in accordance with the feedback from the extensive consultation. Discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders will be held to agree desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy. Once finalised, the strategy will include objectives and cross-departmental actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I plan on bringing the strategy to the Government in quarter 1 of 2026.

Sentiment score: 0.41

I am very conscious of the critical role that public procurement can play in maintaining and building public trust in government. Billions of euro are spent on public contracts every year and the public needs to be confident that its money is being spent in a judicious and fair manner. Likewise, suppliers need to be able to trust the integrity of the procurement system if we are to drive participation. We have had workshops. I have met many SMEs and stakeholders to ensure that this is dealt with by whatever is in the new procurement strategy. I am dealing with that at the moment.

Sentiment score: 0.38

It would not be appropriate for me to speculate about and predetermine the outcome of the current cross-governmental engagements, but my officials are engaging with discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders to agree desired outcomes and actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I look forward to working with them.

Sentiment score: 0.49