asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the "Buy Irish" campaign, he has advised all State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of his Department to support the campaign; and if he will indicate the amount of foreign purchases of manufactured goods, on contract or otherwise, by his Department and by the State-sponsored bodies in the past 12 months, excluding goods which are not manufactured in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Goods Purchases.
2.
There are no State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department. In the past 12 months a sum of £4,270 was expended by my Department in the purchase from foreign firms of goods of the category referred to by the Deputy.
The sum in question relates to orders in excess of £1,000. It would not be possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of official time, to examine all minor purchases.
Could the Minister give the details on what the £4,000 was expended?
I can. From the firm of BICC Limited, Warrington, England, electric cable to the value of £1,857.52, from James Stoll and Company Limited, Oldham, England, a steaming oven valued £1,150 and again from BICC Limited, electric cable to the value of £1,261.93.
In reply to a question in this House some time ago, the Minister indicated that low-loaders were purchased in England. They are not included in his answer.
No. The position with regard to the low-loaders was, I think that a different type was involved. The Irish equivalent was not a similar product and was not suitable.
Deputy MacSharry asked what material was purchased abroad and the Minister did not give a comprehensive answer. He misled the Deputy by omitting that item which I can bring to mind immediately and there may be others.
I give the Deputy my undertaking that I did not omit it for my own purposes. If the officers of my Department did omit it, I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of what Deputy Dowling said, can the Minister state why the low-loaders were not included in the answer, especially when low-loaders are made and are available here?
I have given the full information at my disposal to the Deputy. On the question of low-loaders, I will make inquiries and will communicate with the two Deputies. I am as surprised as the Deputies that low-loaders do not appear here. I understood that because there was a difference in the types of low-loaders, it was necessary to buy a number of them outside the country.
Do I understand the Minister to say that he is not responsible for the reply he has given?
No, I am saying that I have given the full information that was given to me.
Question No. 3.
The Minister is responsible for the reply given in this House and will have to accept the responsibility that it is not a true and accurate answer.
I have called the next question.
This is a very serious matter.
All questions are of a serious nature. I have allowed enough questions.
The point at issue is not whether the low-loaders were bought in England and not in Ireland. The omission of the low-loaders from the answer throws doubt on the accuracy of the Minister's statement.
The Deputy is making a statement.
I have tried to be as fair as possible to the House and when my attention was drawn to the fact that low-loaders did not appear in the reply, I indicated that immediately I get the reason the Opposition will have it.
Will the Minister communicate with the two of us?