To ask the Minister for Defence if it is a fact that a monopoly for the making of officers' uniforms in Dublin has been granted to one Dublin tailor, such monopoly being enforced on all officers; and whether he will cause negotiations to be opened with some reputable association, such as the Dublin Master Tailors' Association, so that they might as an association, and their members might each and severally, enter into guarantees that no uniforms be made except on a written authorisation from the Army authorities, with such other guarantees as he or his advisers might consider necessary, as is done in other countries, in order that such a monopoly, with all that may be implied in the granting and maintenance of such a monopoly, may be ended.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - OFFICERS' UNIFORMS.
Messrs. Callaghan & Co., Dame Street, are getting the bulk of the orders for officers' uniforms, but one other firm in Dublin, and also firms in Mullingar, Cork, Limerick and Kilkenny have received orders. The suggestion contained in the latter portion of the question will be borne in mind in the re-arrangements which will of necessity shortly take place owing to Army re-organisation and settled circumstances.