asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the new Gárda Síochána barracks at Crumlin was roofed with imported tiles, while tile manufacturing concerns in the district were compelled to lay off workers through lack of orders; and if he will ensure for the future that, as far as possible, home-manufactured materials be specified in contracts for Departments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Imported Tiles.
The specification for this building provided that all materials, appliances and fittings were, whereever possible, to be obtained from manufacturers operating in Éire. Kingscourt clay tiles were specified for the roofs. Kingscourt clay tiles were not available when required and, alternative clay tiles of Irish manufacture not being available, the contractor used clay tiles of British manufacture which were actually in stock.
I am not aware of any local manufacturers of clay tiles having been compelled about that time to lay off workers through lack of orders. It is the invariable practice to specify the use, wherever possible, of materials obtained from manufacturers operating in Éire.