asked the Minister for Defence the reason his Department is purchasing boot and shoe polish manufactured in a foreign country when there is an Irish-made polish of high quality available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Foreign Shoe Polish.
35.
Since 1 January 1984, when my Department took over the function of making such purchases on behalf of all Government Departments, all the boot and shoe polish purchased, with the exception of one minor item, has been of Irish manufacture. In the case of this item, no tender was received for an Irish product.
I should add that contracts are placed by my Department on the basis of competitive tendering, in accordance with Government contracts procedures. Because of this country's membership of the European Community, a Government Department may not insist that all, or any, of the work involved in meeting its supply orders be carried out in the State.