asked the Minister for Defence why the entire army stores are using British-made soups; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Soup Supplies.
22.
A contract for the supply of soup powder for the Defence Forces was, following competitive tendering, placed in November, 1974, in respect of the period 1st December, 1974— 30th November, 1975, with an Irish firm that had held the contract for the previous 12 months. The Department's tender forms in regard to food supplies have never required a statement as to the country of origin. There are Departmental specifications for many of the foodstuffs. Firms offering items for which such specifications are not laid down are required, if they have not previously done so, to submit samples. The firm concerned in the present case submitted a sample in connection with the earlier tendering and accordingly was not required to submit one in connection with the tendering for the current contract. The sample in question did not indicate the country of origin.
If the country of origin of the sample had been identified, the question of preference in favour of an Irish-made commodity would have arisen. I am having further inquiries made in the matter generally.
Is this not the second time the Minister has passed the buck to the supplier? He said on the last occasion that they were not aware the shoes for the navy were not made in Ireland.
It was boots actually. The position there was that the company tendered on the basis that the boots were being made in Ireland. They then supplied a very small amount of boots which were not made in Ireland. We watch it as well as we can but occasionally they get past us.
Does the Minister not think they should not deal with such firms in future?
That might be a very severe penalty.