asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there are upwards of 200 employees of Messrs. Smith and Co. and Messrs. Gallen and Co., Balbriggan, either idle or on short time; and in view of this fact, has any consideration been given to the question of the placing of Government contracts for linen and hosiery with these firms.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - UNEMPLOYMENT AT BALBRIGGAN
I have made enquiries into the placing of contracts with the two firms mentioned. Messrs. Smith are makers principally of high-class hosiery, of a quality much superior to that which the Contracting Departments of the Ministries of Defence or Local Government require. Presumably, for this reason no tenders in reply to advertisements appear to have been received from them, and they were not in a position to quote for articles about which a communication was addressed directly to them.
With regard to Messrs. Gallen, who are a linen firm, an order has been placed with them by the Contracting Branch of the Ministry of Local Government, and their name is on the list of contractors. I may add that all Government requirements of linen are being obtained in the Saorstát.