asked the Minister for the Environment if he will reconsider his decision to discontinue the operation of the combined purchasing system in view of the benefit of the system to Irish industry and the fact that the effect of cancelling will be to furhter flood the country with imports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Combined Purchasing System.
43.
The combined purchasing system was no longer fulfilling its primary objective, to give price advantage to local authorities by combining their purchasing power. So as to relieve local authorities of the administrative costs involved and in furtherance of the Government's policy on devolution I decided, consequently, to bring the system to an end for all commodities other than bitumen. Local authorities will generally operate the same criteria as did the Department in making their purchases.