asked the Minister for Local Government whether galvanised-iron buckets now being supplied under contracts made with the combined purchasing section are of Irish manufacture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galvanised-Iron Ware.
Some are of Irish manufacture and some are not. The reasons for accepting some quotations for supplies which are not of Irish manufacture were (a) absence of quotations for Irish articles or for Irish articles solely; (b) non-compliance with specification in the case of Irish articles; and (c) price.
Will the Minister say if the board responsible for contracts do not require to have any regard to sustaining and encouraging Irish manufactures?
I suppose they do.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether the galvanised-iron dustbins now being supplied by the Dublin Corporation are of Irish manufacture.
No quotations complying with the specification were received in response to advertisements inviting applications from contractors under the Combined Purchasing Act for the supply of galvanised ash bins to local authorities during the year ending the 31st March, 1950. Local authorities were, therefore, free to make their own arrangements for obtaining their requirements of these articles. I have ascertained from the Dublin Corporation that the bins at present being obtained by them are not of Irish manufacture.
Is the Minister aware that, as a result, Dublin workers have been put out of employment?
I understand that steps are being taken to make it difficult for that to happen again.