andMr. Leonard asked the Minister for Defence if the usual practice of giving preference to materials of Irish manufacture was adhered to in the purchase of floor tiles for the new Army barracks in Monaghan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan Army Barracks.
18.
The new military barracks at Monaghan are being built in accordance with a contract placed in July, 1975. I am making inquiries about the matter raised in the question and will communicate the result to the Deputies.
Is the Minister aware that the normal practice when materials such as tiles are required is that tender forms are sent out to recognised manufacturers and suppliers, that before any materials are imported the manufacturers are contacted and they must have given a written notification that they are unable to supply? In this case in Monaghan, when there was a quantity of 1,200 sq. yards, plus the fittings, which would have been sufficient to ensure about ten weeks work for the local tile factory ——
Order. The Deputy is making a speech.
Why were the local people not contacted?
I do not want to pre-empt anything, but I can say that the contract with the builders was made in July, 1975, and they are building, I presume, within the terms of the contract. When Deputy Conlan mentioned this matter to me— obviously he had spoken to other Deputies—I instituted inquiries of which I have not the result so far. When I get the result I will send it to the Deputies.
The question was put down a number of days ago and all the Minister had to do was to make inquiries to see if the regulations had been complied with.
These inquiries have been made but I have no result yet.
Does the Minister not accept that the use of British manufactured imported tiles is very serious, that this is only a continuance of similar happenings in that barracks? When the site was being prepared and it was necessary to take away surplus water, a factory two miles away which were manufacturing concrete pipes did not get the opportunity of tendering. Would the Minister get in contact with the Minister for Industry and Commerce who will be able to bring him up to date with the seriousness of the unemployment position in Monaghan at a time when so much work has been taken out of the county by the Departments' bungling?
There is no bungling by the Department. The contractor is carrying out work on the barracks. There has been a complaint that tiles were used which in the opinion of certain Deputies should not have been used. I am having inquiries made and I have not got the result of those inquiries. No matter how much the Deputy puffs and blows he cannot make me say what I do not know.