asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the proposals by his Department to manufacture the army badges needed henceforth by Army personnel and if he is aware that if this is proceeded with it will lead to loss of employment in Balbriggan, County Dublin, in the firm where these badges have been embroidered and manufactured until now.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Badges.
6.
My Department purchased an embroidery machine to manufacture cloth badges and insignia for the Defence Forces in December 1985. Prior to that, these items were bought following the invitation of competitive tenders. However, because of late deliveries by contractors which caused shortages, the difficulty in obtaining quotations for certain items and military concern for security it was decided to purchase this machine.
I am satisfied that the making of cloth badges and insignia for the Defence Forces by military personnel will not seriously affect the employment prospects of any firm. The volume of work involved is, relatively, not significant. In the most recent competition for the supply of these badges and insignia tenders were invited from eight known suppliers but only three submitted quotations. In any event, under the tender system no firm can assume that it will receive a contract even if it was successful in winning contracts in the past.
My Department will of course, as the central purchasing agency, continue to purchase cloth badges and insignia for other Government Departments on the basis of competitive tendering.