andDr. Cruise-O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if it is the practice to give preference to Irish firms in the expenditure of voted moneys, and if this is the case if he will indicate the approximate percentage expended under such preferential arrangements during the last three years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure of Voted Moneys.
8.
It is the practice to give preference to Irish firms in the expenditure of voted moneys.
It would not be possible to answer the second part of the Deputies' question without a disproportionate amount of research.
I realise this is not an easy figure to uncover but I assure the Minister that it is a serious question. I wonder if I were to put it down again, If there was some mechanism by which I could do so in, say, three weeks and accept a tabular answer, or do something like that? It is a figure I would very much like to know. I would point out to the Minister that the word "approximate" is used. I also recognise that it is not possible to be precise about it but I should like to know the approximate order of magnitude. If the question were put down in some other way could I get some assistance from the Minister's Department in this matter?
The problem is not one of time but rather the actual amount of effort involved. Certainly, in all the major spending Departments, the amount of effort would be dispropertionate as I have indicated. However. I shall look at it again and see if it would be possible to produce an estimate. It could not be any more than that without getting precise details. I shall see if that is possible.
In thanking the Minister I should like to know if, perhaps, I could enter into to discussion with some senior members of the Department about what I wish to know? Perhaps the Minister would write to me about it later. That would cover the matter.
If the Deputy could indicate clearly what he has in mind perhaps we could eliminate certain things.
Would the Minister say if the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement had any effect on this?
No.
None whatever?
No, not yet anyway.