Vol. 432 No. 2
58 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which Irish manufactured office supplies and equipment, including computer supplies, are provided to his Department or to offices the estimate for which falls within his group; the extent to which such requirements are met by overseas manufacturers where Irish alternatives exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Every encouragement is given to Irish suppliers consistent with our international obligations regarding procurement and tendering procedures. Almost all of the equipment and supplies currently in use in the Tánaiste's Office and in the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs has been purchased from Irish firms.
There are some practical problems which limit the scope for purchase of office machinery from Irish firms for use in our overseas missions: high freight costs together with incompatibility with local equipment and systems and the need for local maintenance. However, office stationery supplies are, save in the most exceptional circumstances, obtained for missions at headquarters from Irish firms through the Government Supplies Agency.
