asked the Minister for Health if in his hospital building programme any efforts are made to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, equipment of Irish manufacture is used, in order to protect employment in native industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Building Programme.
3.
EC legislation prohibits this country from giving preferential treatment to Irish manufactured goods. Equipment used in the hospital building programme is purchased on the basis of competitive tendering and the policy of my Department is that health agencies should give Irish manufacturers every opportunity to submit tenders. There has been no change in Department policy in this matter during the period of office of this Government.
Is the Minister aware that in the case of St. James's Hospital, for instance, in regard to a contract for the supply of electrical equipment, a small local firm who were competitive in every way were not given the contract, with the result that they had to lay off a number of employees? Is he satisfied that throughout the health services where possible — that is all anybody asks — work is given to Irish firms with a view to preserving employment?
I can assure the Deputy that an important objective of our industrial policy is to ensure that Irish contractors are given every opportunity to secure contracts in competition with other EC countries. We are fully aware in the Department of the importance of the employment implications of those contracts funded under the health capital programme. I do not in any way interfere with tenders or with contracts, nor do I issue special instructions in that regard. To do so would be in total breach of Article 30 of the Treaty of Rome. This is very specific and, as the Deputy knows, it is so rigid and stringent that the Guaranteed Irish Campaign sponsored by the Irish Goods Council was found by the European Court in 1981 to be in breach of Article 30. If there are any specific incidents or contracts about which the Deputy is worried, I will certainly take them up. I would make the broad point that many contracts, for example, go to Northern Ireland. Quite tragically and horrendously one of our principal contractors for Cavan Hospital was buried this morning. He had the electrical contract there and was doing outstanding work. Whether companies come from Northern Ireland, the Republic or elsewhere we must have an even-handed approach.
Of course I accept that the Minister does not interfere in individual contracts, but in the case of the supply of electrical equipment to St. James's Hospital I would expect that, if something were brought to his attention, he would have it investigated with a view to ensuring that the Irish firm were given every possible chance. Is he aware that in this area of supplying equipment, which can be infinitely varied and often very sophisticated, there are many tricks and practices which can be availed of by outside foreign suppliers to the disadvantage of local manufacturers? Would he agree that it is not enough for architects, engineers and purchasing officers generally to be passive in this regard and that they should be alert to ensure that Irish manufacturers are given a reasonable break on all occasions? There are such things as dumping and special discounts and many practices can be engaged in to overcome the total objectivity which we would all like to see in the awarding of contracts. Is the Minister satisfied that this alertness is practised throughout the system? Does he agree with me that it is very disheartening, particularly for small local firms, to lose contracts under conditions of unfair competition from large multinationals and others?
I would accept the spirit and the broad thrust of the view of the Leader of the Opposition on this matter. I can assure him that, where individual Irish manufacturers have come to me or to senior officers of the Department in relation to tendering for local contracts, they have been given every possible co-operation and assistance. Many of them have been quite small firms. In quite a number of cases I have had investigations made on the outcome of the contracts after the tenders were opened and after the matter was settled. Up to that stage we have to act in a very circumspect manner and we cannot issue written directives to any health agency because these could be picked up immediately by foreign contractors. I assure the Deputy that we are very sensitive to this area. Any information from Deputies or any individual representations will be willingly received.
In regard to the question of supplying equipment, is the Minister in a position to give us any information about the supply of equipment to the new wing of the Mater Hospital on which £20 million has been spent and which is now lying idle through lack of equipment and staff? Is he aware that the opening of this new unit would be of enormous benefit to the hospital in its general running and would take a great deal of pressure off the health services generally in the north city? Can he give any encouraging report on the provision of equipment for that new unit?
I presume the Deputy is talking about the new Mater Private Hospital.
No.
In so far as the new Mater public unit is concerned, I am not aware that it is yet ready for commissioning.
Of course it is.
I can assure the Deputy that there has been no stinting whatsoever in putting in essential equipment to the Mater Public Hospital and in the completion of the major new public wing. We are having discussions tomorrow with the Mater Hospital authorities on their 1986 budget. I am sure the discussions will be conducted in an atmosphere of co-operation and I do not envisage any major difficulty. We had considerable difficulty in regard to the impact of the Mater Private Hospital on the VHI but that is an entirely different matter. They are buying some very expensive equipment but that is totally outside the ambit of the Department of Health.
Is the Minister aware that the Mater Hospital is an absolutely vital institution in the provision of medical attention and health services for the whole north side of Dublin? Is he aware that this new unit has been completed, that the key has been turned, that it is completely ready for commissioning and that its equipping and opening are urgently required? In the discussions tomorrow will the Minister endeavour to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to bring on stream this new unit of the public hospital at the earliest possible moment?
That is the final supplementary I will allow on this question.
I have no doubt that the new unit will be brought on stream as planned. It is a replacement unit of the public side and I have not heard of any suggestion that the hospital might have difficulty equipping that unit. As the Deputy is aware, it has been very expensive, tens of millions of pounds have gone into it——
May I put a question to the Minister?
It is unfair to permit the Deputy to put another question. He will have to be brief.
Forgive me for being cynical in asking, what hospital building programme when in the south-east we have awaited sanction for the start of work at Ardkeen since the Minister took office in December 1982?
Question No. 4 has been postponed and Question No. 5 withdrawn.
Have the PDs withdrawn from everything?
I do not have any control over the PDs.
They have control over you.
The Deputy is completely out of order.