asked the Minister for Local Government whether he proposes to make it a condition for the allotment by the National Building Agency of the contracts for the Cork-Limerick housing project, recently advertised, that a successful tenderer would have proven ability in Ireland of its personnel and capacity to do work of this size and nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork-Limerick Housing Project.
10.
Mr. Barrett
No project of this nature has so far been undertaken in Ireland and accordingly I have not at this stage prescribed specific conditions precedent to the placing of a contract by or on behalf of the local authorities concerned. I have, however, indicated to the local authorities that they will be consulted in the course of the process now being pursued and I would expect that ability to undertake the work will be one of the criteria of assessment of any proposals which may come before the authorities.
Will the Minister state whether the members of Taca will get preference in this matter?
I do not know that any of them have applied.
(Cavan):: Is it necessary for them to apply?
Would the Minister say what he means by "project of this nature"? Surely this is an ordinary housing project?
No, it is not.
Apart from the financing of it?
No, it is not. It comprises four different sites in two different cities, for one thing.
What is the difference between that and an ordinary corporation housing project?
It is bigger; it is more diverse, and, as I said, any previous projects have dealt with one site where the scheme was designed by or on behalf of the local authorities. This involves the submission of designs by the proposers.
Then is the Minister trying to get proposals from abroad? Is that what he means?
Not necessarily from abroad. There are only four of the 12 who put forward proposals from abroad; the rest are from this country.
Are they genuinely from this country, or small token companies in Ireland?
As far as I know, they are all Irish companies.
Is the Minister satisfied with this package deal type of building project? Is he satisfied tenders can be properly compared where you have different package deals from four or five contractors?
Yes, I think an assessment of the value of the different proposals can be made.
Have we not got a situation under the existing scheme in which the main contractor is buying materials from himself, from other firms in which he is interested?
I do not know anything about his arrangements.
Mr. Barrett
Could the Minister indicate when the contracts are likely to be allocated?
No, but it should not take very long now.