asked the Minister for the Environment if he will advise county managers that they should include a clause in all contracts for local authority housing and civil engineering work that Irish materials should be used where possible; and if he is aware that hundreds of jobs are at risk in the building industry and allied companies because non-Irish materials such as pipes, cement, etc. are being used.
Written Answers. - Use of Irish Materials.
601.
I am fully conscious of the effects on employment here of the use of imported building materials generally and I drew specific attention to the position when introducing my Department's Estimate on 12 May. With regard to the first part of the question, local authorities are prohibited by the obligations of EEC membership from including a clause in their building contracts along the lines suggested. There is, however, a responsibility within the building industry on designers, specifiers and contractors to ensure that Irish materials are not denied a reasonable opportunity of participating and it is particularly important that the design of works is not such as to preclude the use of Irish products.