asked the Minister for Local Government if it is the policy of his Department to give equal opportunity to all firms within the State in providing goods for use in the construction of houses or the erection of sewerage facilities by local authorities when sanction is sought from his Department by local authorities for such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Construction Goods.
66.
In general, the building of local authority houses and the construction of sewerage works are carried out by contract consequent on the public invitation of tenders from competent contractors. The purchase of the materials to be used in the construction work is a matter for the contractor, subject to the terms of the contract, which include a requirement to use materials and appliances of Irish manufacture as far as practicable. The source of supply of materials is not specified in the contract and, in general, references to proprietary articles are avoided in contract documents.
Is it not a fact that the so-called low cost housing scheme which the Minister has introduced will, in effect, tend to eliminate small contractors?
That question is completely irrelevant.