asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state, in respect of a contract for a major exchange system for his Department, which was won by the firm of Fujitsu, the portion of the contract that is of Irish origin or content; if he is aware that this appears to be the first contract awarded by any European country to this particular contractor; if he is satisfied in relation to the company's ability in respect of long-term support and service of the system; if there are any other installations of this type in Europe; and if there is any connection between the awarding of this contract and Government inducement to the Amdahl Corporation, which recently set up a European manufacturing facility in Glasnevin, County Dublin.
Written Answers. - Telephone Exchange Contract.
126.
The contract for the exchange system in question was awarded in accordance with established contractual procedures which included consideration of each tenderer's ability to provide long-term support and service. No portion of the equipment will be manufactured here. Contracts for telecommunications equipment have been awarded to the firm by a number of European administrations. The exchange in question is similar in type to another installed in Dublin and to at least two others being installed elsewhere in Europe. The answer to the last part of the question is no.