The recent issues with schools constructed by Western Building Systems have resulted in a call for a major reassessment of the procurement and tendering policy for publicly funded building projects.

National trade union SIPTU called for the major reassessment after Education Minister Joe McHugh announced that some form of remediation works will be necessary for all 40 schools involved.

Minister McHugh also confirmed the cost of the work will be covered from public funds, at least initially, while no indication of an estimate of what these costs will be has been given.

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SIPTU Construction Sector President, Eddie Gunnery, said: "Neither SIPTU representatives nor any members of the Construction Industry Committee of ICTU have been consulted on this debacle in public procurement.

"Lessons must be learnt from this situation. These must include taking due regard of the views of workers’ representatives in relation to procurement processes involving public funds. Such tendering processes should also include a commitment that companies will respect the terms of the Sectoral Employment Order for the Construction Sector when seeking to be granted such projects."

He added: "The clearly avoidable issues that have emerged concerning this public building programme must mark a watershed in how public funds are spent. Those who ultimately are found to bear responsibility for this debacle must be held accountable. Serious consideration must now be given to a new approach to public tendering. The ICTU must, on behalf of the tax payer, have a serious role in the new procurement process which is now required."

(CM/JG)