asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the proportion of materials used in the installation and maintenance of the telephone service which is of: (1) Irish manufacture, (2) other European manufacture and (3) manufacture elsewhere; and the steps being taken to increase the proportion of Irish manufactured materials used in the service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Origin of Telephone Equipment.
14.
The percentages are (1) 60 per cent, (2) 35 per cent and (3) 5 per cent.
The Department encourages Irish manufacture by making known their requirements and giving help and advice to potential Irish suppliers. The Department also co-operate with the Industrial Development Authority and the Irish Goods Council in promoting Irish manufacture.
Did I understand the Minister to say 60 per cent?
Yes.
At what rate does the Minister hope to increase that figure to get it close to 100 per cent? Is it that Irish companies are not in a position to manufacture the remaining 40 per cent?
Yes.
Irish companies are unable to manufacture the remaining 40 per cent which have to be imported?
That is the position and that was the position when Fianna Fáil were in power.
We took steps to improve it.
How is the Minister setting about improving that position from 60 per cent to 100 per cent?
The Government's policy is to encourage the manufacture of these components in the Republic.
Has the Minister entered into discussions with the IDA about this?
We are doing that.
I have every confidence in the Minister.
One of the few who has the Deputy's confidence.
The Minister said we did nothing when we were in power. Is he not fully acquainted with the working of his Department? I refer him to the various exhibitions held around the country and the decisions on digital——
Acting Chairman
A question please, Deputy.
What additional steps is the Minister taking to ensure that that 60 per cent will grow as close as possible to 100 per cent? I know we can never reach 100 per cent because it is not possible to manufacture certain items in this country as they are required in such small numbers.
If the Deputy wants the information, I will give it to him. I want to put it on the record that Deputy Reynolds deserves some credit.
A minute ago the Minister said we deserved no credit.
I said Deputy Reynolds deserved some credit but the Fianna Fáil Party failed to recognise the need for telecommunications infrastructure. We are very backward——
The Minister must be joking.
This Government consider this a very high priority and we hope within the next few years to provide the country with——
(Interruptions.)
We have the biggest single international investment this year——
Acting Chairman
I am calling the next question.
Question No. 15 postponed.