asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that, in respect of all Government building contracts, good quality Irish produced materials must be used where possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Building Contracts.
20.
It is the normal practice in all Government building contracts to require that, wherever practicable, materials of Irish manufacture are to be used.
That does not obviate the fact that at the moment inferior British manufactured materials are being imported and used because they are cheaper.
I am not denying that what the Deputy says may be true in a particular case. The requirements in Government contracts are quite specific regarding the provision of Irish-made products where they are available. In addition, on the matter of cost, there is preference given to Irish-made products so that with regard to competition from the point of view of price there is an advantage in favour of Irish-made products. There may be cases where, despite both of these requirements, foreign-made products are used but the regulations are designed to try to avoid such use.
Is it not true that under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement, British products must be treated on an equal basis with Irish products for such work?
That is true up to a point. It is also true that it is not being practised fully on the other side.
Is it not true that the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement laid down that British products can be used in such jobs and that they are treated the same as Irish products? It is not true to say that special terms are laid down, such as the Minister has stated.
That is not correct. The position as I have described is the practice that operates today.
If firms are not using British materials it is not because they are precluded from using them but because they decide other materials are better.
The description I have given applies in all Government contracts.
Is the Minister aware that a private builder will be refused a grant unless he uses all Irish products but, at the same time, contractors carrying out Government contracts can buy English materials because they are cheaper or for any other reason? The private contractor must buy Irish materials, and rightly so.
It is correct to say that the requirements of grant regulations are that Irish materials must be used where they are available. However, it is not correct to say that on Government contracts English or any other foreign materials are used solely because they are cheaper.
Why is it not the same for private builders and for builders carrying out Government contracts?
The requirement is enforced.
It is not enforced.
There are certain items of foreign material used in houses that qualify for grants.