Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
379. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the engagements he and his Department have had with European institutions and other member states regarding the revision of Public Procurement Directives; when these will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17222/26]
View answerIn June 2025, I wrote to Executive Vice President Séjourné in support of the proposal to revise the legal framework governing public procurement. I also set out some of Ireland’s most immediate concerns following the announcement of the revision of the legal framework governing public procurement. This included calling for simplification and flexibility of the rules to:
• increase competition and SME participation in public procurement.
• provide greater legal certainty and reduce administrative burdens for buyers and suppliers.
• better enable sustainable public procurement including in relation to value for money.
My Department’s officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with the European Council and the European Commission via the Council Working Party on Competitiveness and Growth (Public Procurement) and Commission Expert Groups on Public Procurement and eProcurement. The upcoming revision of the procurement directives are routinely discussed in these fora which take place throughout the year. Separately, my officials engage directly with the Commission on the revision as and when required. In addition, Departmental officials are proactive in engaging with their equivalents from other Member States and are working to identify like-minded Member States, establish commonalities, and strengthen ties ahead of the anticipated publication of the Commission proposal late in Q2 2026.
