asked the Minister for Transport and Power 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 twelve months, excluding goods which are not manufactured in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Goods Purchases.
10.
I am satisfied that the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department are conscious of the desirability of providing the maximum possible support for Irish manufactured goods.
With regard to the information sought by the Deputy on the amount of foreign purchases of manufactured goods excluding goods which are not manufactured in Ireland, my Department's expenditure records are not kept in a form which would enable me to say how much is spent in this way.
So far as the State-sponsored bodies are concerned the purchase of goods required in their operations is a matter of day to day administration. I am, however, assured that the State-sponsored bodies on the whole understand the spirit and purpose of the "Buy Irish" campaign and support it to the fullest extent practicable consistent with the economic operation of their undertakings.
Would the Minister investigate the growing tendency there appears to be by one of the State bodies of employing foreign transport for haulage all over the country and its effect on redundancies and employment in at least one of the State bodies?
I do not know to what company the Deputy is referring but if he gives me a note of it I will certainly have it investigated.
I will certainly give the Minister the information.