asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if all cloths supplied on contract to his Department are made of Irish materials; and, if not, the country of origin of the material in each contract accepted since 5 July 1977.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Uniforms.
7.
(Dublin South-Central): In recent years all the woollen and worsted cloths supplied on contract to my Department were made of Irish materials, except for a few items where the quantities required were too small to interest Irish manufacturers. As regards cloths made from cotton and other basic materials which are not produced in Ireland, the position in recent years has been that the cloths supplied to my Department were woven in Ireland mainly from yarns imported from various countries, principally Britain and Brazil.
How much money is involved in the importation?
(Dublin South-Central): I have not got that information.
The Minister has a very bad brief if he cannot tell us what exactly is the cost.
(Dublin South-Central): If the Deputy is prepared to put down a question I will get that information for him.
It is relevant to the question asked.
8.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if all materials used in the manufacture of Post Office uniforms are made in Ireland; and, if not, why.
(Dublin South-Central): All the main materials used in the manufacture of Post Office uniforms are made in Ireland. Some buttons and cap fittings which my Department have not been able to obtain in Ireland have to be imported.
What is the cost of the buttons and the cap fittings?
(Dublin South-Central): I have not got that information.
The Minister should have it.
(Dublin South-Central): If the Deputy is prepared to put down a question I will get it for him on the next occasion.
The reason this question was put down is to find out exactly what it costs.
In relation to the Minister's reply to Question No. 8, where he says that all the main materials are manufactured in the country, do I understand from his earlier reply to Question No. 7 that the materials are made with imported yarn? If that is so, could he give any indication of the cost involved, and if an Irish substitute can be found for the imported yarn?
(Dublin South-Central): I am informed that, in regard to requests made to manufacturers in this country to tender for this type of contract, they were not interested.
Perhaps the information is not in the Minister's brief, but the material that is made in Ireland is made with imported yarn?
(Dublin South-Central): The largest part of it is imported yarn.
Can I take it that the Minister and his Department are satisfied with the situation and that they are prepared to allow it to continue?
(Dublin South-Central): We are certainly not satisfied with the situation. The availability of home produced yarn is very limited, I am informed.
Does the Minister or his Department have any proposals to change the situation?
(Dublin South-Central): I would like to see all purchases of home manufacture and of home origin, if at all possible. Everything possible is being done at all times to ensure that this takes place.
Can the Minister give us——
We are not going to have a running commentary on this matter.
The Minister has indicated that they are concerned and are proposing to do something about the matter.
The Deputy has had five supplementaries. Question No. 9.