asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of the years 1954, 1955 and 1956 the value and description of furniture, fittings and goods of foreign origin purchased by the Office of Public Works for use in Government offices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Furniture for Government Offices.
In order to supply the information sought by the Deputy it would be necessary to scrutinise the vouchers for all purchases made during the three years mentioned. These run into many thousands of items and the expenditure involved would not be warranted.
So far as concerns standard articles such as tables, chairs, presses, etc., no foreign made articles were purchased by the Commissioners of Public Works. Goods of foreign origin are purchased only when suitable items of home manufacture are not available.
Is it not a fact that information of a similar character was given by the Parliamentary Secretary on previous occasions and the answers to those questions are on the records of the House? I had replies previously to questions regarding furniture, furnishings and other goods purchased from abroad on several occasions by the Office of Public Works.
I told the Deputy that no foreign article is ever purchased here where a suitable Irish made article is available, and the Deputy can tell that to Deputy MacEntee.
I do not know why he should.
Deputy MacEntee has nothing whatever to do with this, good, bad or indifferent. I think the Parliamentary Secretary could give the information, if he so desired.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there are at least three furniture factories in Navan?
I am aware there is one in Cork, too.
Was it not the practice of the previous Government to supply such goods from abroad when they would not buy them in Navan?
That has nothing to do with the question at all.
There is no use in excusing the Parliamentary Secretary for the work he is doing.