asked the Minister for Transport and Power why in view of the Buy Irish campaign CIE found it necessary to have the pipes for the fuel pipe and air brake systems for their new buses made in England.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of CIE Bus Parts.
2.
I have been informed by CIE that the fuel pipes and air brake pipes in their new buses are made from high quality seamless steel tubing to rigid specifications laid down by the manufacturers of the vehicles. Such tubing is not manufactured in this country.
CIE make every effort to use the maximum quantity of Irish material in bus manufacture and they have informed me that, over the years, the volume of Irish material used has been increasing.
Is the Minister aware that for 30 or 40 years these pipes were made in Ireland and that the pattern for these pipes was made here and sent to England? Surely the material could be imported and the pipes made here?
The information available to me is that these particular pipes to this specification are not manufactured in this country.