Local Elections Candidates Must Commit to Supporting Public Procurement Policies which Benefit Local Businesses

Chambers Ireland has today (19/05/14) called on all candidates in this week’s Local Elections to promote public procurement policies which support businesses in their local area.

Speaking this morning, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said “Public procurement is a vital source of income for many Irish SMEs. However, we are increasingly hearing of contracts being awarded to large companies, based outside the State, which are able to offer goods and services at a lower price.”

“While this may save money for the contracting authority in the short term, it does nothing to support businesses in their local area. We believe a more strategic approach to public procurement can support local companies, foster job creation, incentivise innovation and make a real contribution to a sustainable economic recovery. ”

“We are calling on all candidates to listen to the concerns of business owners in their area. We are asking them to support these businesses by working with the Office of Government Procurement and all contracting authorities to make sure that local businesses can benefit from public procurement policies,” he concluded.