asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state by whom the 20 new separate compartments letter-boxes to be erected in Dublin were manufactured.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manufacture of Dublin Letter Boxes.
47.
The boxes were manufactured by Allied Ironfounders Ltd., Falkirk, Scotland.
Could the Minister say what justification there was for going outside this country for the manufacture of metal boxes to contain letters?
The purchase was made, no doubt, by the ordinary means of tendering, all relevant factors being taken into consideration. The price in this case, I take it, after making allowance for tariff, was still a competitive price.
"Buy Irish."
Having regard to the appalling adverse trade balance of the country, how can the Minister say that he was justified in going outside the country to buy such simple articles as boxes to contain letters? It is disgraceful.
We purchase Irish products on every occasion when all other things are equal.
The Government buy English advertising and English letter-boxes.
This is not something new that is happening.
(Interruptions.)
No wonder we are in the mess we are in.