asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a local authority (details supplied) has purchased and erected concrete lamp standards manufactured in Britain although similar standards manufactured in Ireland are available; if he will state the steps which will be taken to ensure that Irish goods are purchased by local authorities in preference to goods of foreign manufacture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Concrete Lamp Standards.
10.
I understand that in the case referred to the particular lamp standards were selected on aesthetic grounds for a project undertaken by the local authority concerned, in conjunction with Bord Fáilte, and that suitable equivalent Irish products were not available.
As regards the second part of the question, local authorities are under instruction from my Department to use as far as possible in their works, materials and appliances manufactured or produced in the State.
Is the Minister aware that Galway County Council did not invite any Irish firm to supply lamp standards aesthetic or otherwise to meet their particular requirements? Is he further aware that one Dublin factory has produced hundreds of lamp posts to the specific design requested by Dublin Corporation and could have produced them for Galway if they had been asked?
No; I am not aware whether or not they invited tenders but I have been informed that before they ordered these particular standards, they were satisfied that that particular type of standard was not available on the Irish market. That is my information.
Will the Minister bring my remarks to the notice of the Galway County Council so that they and others may know that there is a factory in Dublin which can produce concrete lamp posts on request?
Is this on the Combined Purchasing List?
I would not imagine so.
Can the Minister say whether any duty was paid on the imported lamp posts?
I have not got an idea.
We will find that out.