Patrick O’Donovan TD

Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform

Office of Government Procurement (OGP)

Patrick O’Donovan TD is Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government, and eGovernment. He previously served as Minister of State for Tourism and Sport when he was appointed by the Taoiseach in May 2016.

A native of Newcastle West in Co. Limerick, Minister O’Donovan was elected to the Dáil in February 2011. Prior to becoming a TD, he qualified and worked as an industrial chemist before then becoming a primary school teacher.

Following Minister O’Donovan’s election to the Dáil in 2011 he was selected to be a member of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, whose role it is to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland and build on the close relationships established in recent years between politicians throughout Britain and Ireland. During the 31st Dáil he also served on the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport and Communications, and the Public Accounts Committee.

Close

Paul Quinn

Chief Procurement Officer

Office of Government Procurement - Department of Public Expenditure & Reform

Paul joined the Civil Service in January 2013 as the Government’s first CPO and is tasked with procurement reform across the Public Service. The State spends approx. €8.5 billion every year, or €23 million every day, on supplies and services. In this role, Paul and his team are changing the structures, processes and systems to deliver improved value for the tax payer, reducing risk for the State and improving public procurement capability. His new office, the Office of Government Procurement or “OGP”, is for the first time bringing together policy, strategy and operations. The OGP commenced operations in mid-2014 and continues to build momentum in delivering framework agreements and contracts for its public sector clients. The OGP is also delivering a significant programme of work in the policy arena, having launched Circular 10/14 to encourage SME participation, the Tender Advisory Services and the first significant revisions to the Public Works Contracts arising from the 2014 review. The OGP is currently leading on the transposition of the new Procurement Directives, the Directive on eInvoicing, and guidance on social clauses/community benefits. Paul previously worked with the largest Irish telecommunications company, eircom, and in his last role was Supply Chain Director. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Dublin City University, a Degree in Engineering from the Dublin Institute of Technology, and a Diploma in Accounting & Finance from the ACCA. In 2014, he received the Procurement Leader of the Year award at the National Procurement Awards. He is also a member of the Development Board for the New Children’s Hospital at St. James’ Hospital and chairs its finance committee.

Close

Mark Simpson

Presenter and Journalist

Newsline

Simpson began his journalistic career at a series of Northern Irish newspapers – The News Letter, The Irish News, and The Belfast Telegraph – after graduating in 1988 from Queens University Belfast with a degree in History and Politics. He joined the BBC in 1998 as a political correspondent. He was nominated as Television News Broadcaster of the Year at the BT UK Regional Press and Broadcast Awards 2000. In 2005 he moved to Leeds, England to the position of North of England Correspondent, where he reported for the national BBC News, including Shannon Matthews' disappearance and later discovery.

In 2008, he then returned to Belfast where he attained the position of Ireland Correspondent

Close

John Swords

National Director of Procurement

Health Business Services HSE

John Swords was appointed Head of Procurement in the Health Service Executive (HSE) during 2010.

John has 30 years’ successful experience in the HSE both from a Finance and Procurement Directorates perspective. He is now responsible for the strategic operational development and management of all Procurement related activity in the HSE.

John was instrumental in the implementation of a Single National Procurement Model for HSE which has been a key enabler in achieving cost reduction, increased efficiencies and the adoption of streamlined standardised procurement process to avoid duplication of effort.

Currently in line with Government Decision, HSE Procurement are actively engaged in developing a plan for ‘One Voice’ for Health Procurement.

John is responsible for implementing the 3 year Procurement Plan inclusive of Sourcing, Logistics and Systems which are key enablers in providing front line services to patients.

Close

Neil Kerrigan

Head of Public Procurement

Enterprise Ireland

Neil is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from University College Dublin and Higher Diplomas in Project Management and Highway & Geotechnical Engineering from Trinity College, and Business Strategy and High Performance Leadership from the Irish Management Institute. Prior to taking up his current role as Head of Global Sourcing, Public Procurement & Small Business Innovation Research(SBIR) he worked with the Departments of Business & Agriculture to organise the Forest supply chain in advance of Brexit and prepare for the commercial opportunities. He was also responsible for the delivery of Ireland’s Industry Led Research Centres covering Energy, Pharmaceuticals and Advanced Manufacturing.
Close