asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that on December 9th, 1924, Army Lorry A.C. 1118 took delivery from Messrs Anderson, Stanford and Ridge-way, Grafton Street, Dublin, of a number of Jacobean Oak Bedroom Suites intended for the use of Army Officers at the Curragh, and that these suites were made by Messrs Lebus, of London, and whether there is any reason why, in view of the severe unemployment in the furnishing trade in Ireland, furniture for the Army should not be required to be of Irish manufacture?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PURCHASE OF ARMY FURNITURE.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
As stated, an Army lorry on 9th instant took delivery from Messrs Anderson, Stanford and Ridge-way of two Jacobean oak bedroom suites for Married Officers' Quarters, made by Messrs Lebus of London.
As regards the furnishing of Single Officers' Quarters, the requirements of the Army were sufficiently definite to allow the Board of Works to call for tenders for bulk quantities of Irish-made furniture, and this was done.
In the case of Married Officers' Quarters, however, the Board of Works were not able to obtain from the Military any definite estimate of the minimum total quantity of furniture required, so that tenders for bulk quantities could not be invited in the case of these quarters. Requisitions for the furnishing of Married Quarters have come in intermittently, and generally in circumstances which necessitated the work being done at very short notice. Tenders had therefore to be invited from local merchants for small lots, which were generally supplied from stocks on hand.
In anticipation, however, of the full requirements of the Army in this direction being known shortly, the Board of Works are making inquiries with a view to having such articles as the bedroom suites now in question manufactured in Ireland.
Is the Minister satisfied that that is a reasonable explanation of the reason for going outside the furnishing trade of this country?
I think that it is reasonable on the whole.
Is the Minister aware—and I think this comes within his Department too—that the subsidy to house building is also being used for the purpose of importing frames, sashes and woodwork, while there are 150 carpenters in Dublin idle?
That is a different subject.