Many local suppliers to the Garda College in Templemore are said to be paying the price for past financial irregularities at the training facility.
The training facility – which was traditionally served mostly by local companies – now comes under the National Procurement Agency.
This means companies from across the country are able to tender in order to secure contracts there.
As a result 26 of the 31 former suppliers have lost out – some of them protested at the depot today in a bid to highlight the impact the changes are having on their business.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill says the current situation is very unfair on smaller companies.
Independent Deputy Michael Lowry says some local suppliers have been involved with the Garda College since it first opened in the mid-60s.
Speaking on Tipp Today he said they appear to be paying the price for the Public Accounts Committee’s investigation into financial irregularities in Templemore.
