asked the Minister for Finance the name and location of each Government-contracted building under construction at present; the number of those where copper tubing is used in the construction; and whether imported or Irish-produced copper tubing is being used.
Written Answers. - Government Building Projects.
612.
The Commissioners of Public Works have about 180 building projects in progress at present on which copper tubing would be used. The time and expense which would be involved in ascertaining the origin of the tubing in use in each case would be excessive and difficult to justify. The commissioners always encourage the use of Irish manufactured materials in their building works in so far as they are available and meet the appropriate technical specification. The Deputy will appreciate that under EC rules of competition the commissioners are precluded from specifying materials in such a manner as would appear to discriminate in favour of member states.