asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether his Department has received from the Bureau of Standards, any standards for (a) clay, and (b) concrete drainage pipes suitable for use under the land project; and, if so, whether he has satisfied himself that pipes manufactured to comply with such standards are suitable for the work of the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Land Project—Pipe Supplies.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether any schemes under the land project have been held up or otherwise delayed, due to the shortage of pipes; and, if so, the extent of such delay and the approximate number of pipes by which deliveries were short of requirements.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether any contracts for the importation of (a) clay and (b) concrete drainage pipes for the land project have been made in respect of which delivery has not yet been effected; and, if so, the total amount and value of such contracts, and the dates of importation.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the estimated number and value of (a) clay, and (b) concrete drainage pipes to be used by the land project in 1952, and in each month of that year if possible.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in respect of each of the months of 1951 to date the approximate number and value of (a) clay and (b) concrete pipes used by the land project, and the total amounts and value of the pipes so used to date.
Mr. Walsh
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 60 together.
I consider that the expenditure of the considerable amount of official time which the compilation of the special statistics requested in the Deputy's questions would necessitate, would not be justified. It is possible, however, to give the Deputy some general information.
A standard specification for concrete drainage pipes was evolved by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and was published in February, 1951 (Irish Standard 31/51). My Department is satisfied that pipes manufactured to this standard are suitable for use in connection with the land project where soil analysis indicates that deleterious elements are not present. An Irish standard specification for clay ware drainage pipes is in course of preparation. Meantime, all clay pipes conforming to the British Standard Specification are acceptable.
In the early stages of the land project the supply of drainage pipes of native manufacture was insufficient to meet demand. Arrangements had to be made to import drainage pipes and while such arrangements were being completed, some delays occurred in the execution of drainage schemes.
No contracts were at any time made for the importation of concrete pipes, but my Department arranged to purchase from factories in Northern Ireland all surplus supplies of clay drainage pipes. Arrangements were also made to purchase clay drainage pipes from the Continent. Up to date, approximately 7,000,000 pipes have been imported. Deliveries, which commenced in June, 1950, vary according to the time of year.
It is estimated that 20,000,000 pipes will be used on the land project in 1952 and that of this number 75 per cent. will be of the baked clay variety.
The total number of pipes used since the inception of the land project is approximately 9,000,000.
Would the Minister consider, at this stage, in view of the fact that a number of concrete pipe manufacturers held back production until a standard was fixed by the Bureau of Standards and are now coming into production, that it is immensely important that they should at least get a trickle of orders while the existing stocks are being used up? Would he consider asking the Land Project Director to dilute the existing stocks of imported pipes with a fair share of the home manufactured concrete pipes upon which we will ultimately depend, and see that the encouragement of the Department will be given so that they have enough business to keep them going?
Mr. Walsh
If we are satisfied that they come up to standard.
I think the difficulty is this that some fellows held back until a standard was fixed. It takes a long time to fix a standard. There is a large accumulation of pipes which the Minister has said is about 75 per cent. sufficient for 1952.
Mr. Walsh
No.
If there is a large accumulation of pipes in stock will he see that some are laid by and only used gradually until we have full domestic production?
Mr. Walsh
Provided they come up to standard.
Am I to take it that there are stocks on hands to carry on for the future?
Mr. Walsh
No. We have not stocks to carry on for 1952.
Is the Minister not then in a position to order concrete pipes from those factories which are able to deliver according to the proper standard?
Mr. Walsh
We are not anxious to get concrete pipes in any event because it has been proved, due to the acidity of the soil or other matters, that they may not be very suitable. As regards the clay pipes, we have the clay and we would like to see the people producing them. If concrete pipes come up to standard and it is found that we can use them in non-acid soils, then we will use them as far as possible.
Is the Minister aware that a number of concrete pipe machines were imported into this country, particularly the Champion machine from America? Will he say what is to be the position of the people who purchased them if they cannot use them? Are they to be left on their hands or will he consider compensating those people?
That is a separate question.