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23/04/2015
Fianna Fáil SME Bill Passes Seanad
A Bill aimed at supporting SMEs in securing public contracts has secured support from all sides of the Seanad.
Fianna Fáil brought the Bill, claiming that Irish Irish SMEs are "completely undermined" when competing for public contracts when compared to their European counterparts, because "unlike many other EU countries, the only consideration in awarding contracts is price with no consideration of the social impact and longer term economic impact."
Senator O’Brien said: "Every single year the State tenders for over €8.5 billion worth of goods and services. Most European countries have introduced a social clause to allow the State to choose offers which may not be the lowest initial cost, but will have significant social and economic benefit to the region in the long-run in terms of job creation and business investment. Ireland’s failure to do this has undermined our SMEs and resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs.
"Under our Bill, public bodies will be required to consider the economic, social and environmental well-being of bids for all public contracts. If we allow the status quo where the price being offered is the only consideration, international companies will continue to beat smaller Irish businesses, to the detriment of our economy in the long-run.
Senator O'Brien added that he was "delighted" that the Bill had received the support of the business community and the Seanad.
Having passed the second stage in the Seanad the Bill will now be brought before the government.
(MH)
Fianna Fáil brought the Bill, claiming that Irish Irish SMEs are "completely undermined" when competing for public contracts when compared to their European counterparts, because "unlike many other EU countries, the only consideration in awarding contracts is price with no consideration of the social impact and longer term economic impact."
Senator O’Brien said: "Every single year the State tenders for over €8.5 billion worth of goods and services. Most European countries have introduced a social clause to allow the State to choose offers which may not be the lowest initial cost, but will have significant social and economic benefit to the region in the long-run in terms of job creation and business investment. Ireland’s failure to do this has undermined our SMEs and resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs.
"Under our Bill, public bodies will be required to consider the economic, social and environmental well-being of bids for all public contracts. If we allow the status quo where the price being offered is the only consideration, international companies will continue to beat smaller Irish businesses, to the detriment of our economy in the long-run.
Senator O'Brien added that he was "delighted" that the Bill had received the support of the business community and the Seanad.
Having passed the second stage in the Seanad the Bill will now be brought before the government.
(MH)
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